Turkey’s coronavirus death toll rises to 37, as confirmed cases increase to 1,529

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Turkey’s death toll from coronavirus rose by seven to 37 as the number of cases surged to 1,529, with 293 new cases, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said.

The minister said on Twitter that a total of 3,672 tests were carried out within the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of tests carried out in Turkey to above 24,000.

Koca also issued a warning for the youth, saying that they are not immune to the epidemic. "We have a warning for the youth. You’re not excluded from the epidemic. Slow down your lives. Don’t enter risky environments. Don’t take the risk home. Stay home,” he said.

SON 24 SAATTE 3.672 test sonuçlandı. 293 yeni tanı kondu. Çabalarımıza rağmen, hastalığa yenik düşen 7 insanımız daha oldu. GENÇLERE UYARIMIZ VAR: Salgının dışında değilsiniz. Hayatınızı yavaşlatın. Risk ortamına girmeyin. Riski evinize taşımayın. Evde kalın. Hayat eve sığar.

— Dr. Fahrettin Koca (@drfahrettinkoca) March 23, 2020

In a news briefing earlier on March 23, Koca said most of the victims in Turkey to date have been elderly, with two aged between 50-60, one aged 91, and all the others older than 61.

Turkey confirmed its first case of the coronavirus early on March 11.

Since then, the government has taken a series of precautions against the spread of the virus, including suspending professional sports leagues and shutting down schools, universities, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, cafes, spas, amusement parks as well as swimming pools.

Turkey imports medicine from China believed to be effective against coronavirus