WHO 'cautiously optimistic' about COVID-19 in Turkey as new daily cases stabilize
A World Health Organization (WHO) representative said that they were "cautiously optimistic" about the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey as the number of new daily cases stabilize. Although the country still observes an increase in the number of patients daily, early precautions have allowed numbers to stabilize.
Duvar English
The World Health Organization (WHO) is "cautiously optimistic" about the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey as the number of daily new cases are starting to stabilize, BBC Turkish reported April 23.
The number of new cases in Turkey increased by 47 percent in the past week, nearing 100,000.
WHO Senior Emergency Officer Catherine Smallwood noted that the early adoption of preventative measures allowed a stabilization of the number of new cases daily in Turkey.
"Overall, as the number of new cases in Turkey stabilize, we are cautiously optimistic," Smallwood said in a virtual press conference held at the WHO's Geneva headquarters.
WHO Europe Director Dr. Hans Kluge warned countries to be wary of "listlessness," and noted that there is no quick way of relaxing COVID-19 protection measures.
"Some countries are working to relax limitations and social distancing in light of positive queues. This doesn't mean we should get listless. All measures must be lifted in increments."