COVID-19 cases fall below 1,000 in Turkey
Turkey on May 22 reported less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases for the first time since 2020 summer.
Anadolu Agency
New coronavirus infections in Turkey fell below 1,000-mark on May 22, with the health minister Fahrettin Koca promising further easing of face mask rules if the numbers remain low for three consecutive days.
The Health Ministry confirmed 905 new COVID-19 infections, five related deaths and 1,019 recoveries in the last 24 hours. As many as 118,852 tests were conducted.
"The day we've been waiting for so long has come. The number of cases fell below 1,000. The number of deaths is 5. When the number of cases is below a thousand for three consecutive days, the use of masks will be optional, not mandatory, in public transportation!" Koca said on Twitter.
Turkey has administered more than 147.67 million vaccine doses since January 2021.
More than 57.83 million people have received their first jabs, while over 53.05 million are fully vaccinated.
Turkiye lifted its longtime indoor mask mandate last month, except for public transportation and in hospitals.