Iran's COVID-19 cases top 375,000; Mideast countries start new school year amid coronavirus concerns

CAIRO - Iran's total COVID-19 cases exceeded 375,000 on Monday. Meanwhile, many countries in the Middle East start new school year amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19.

Iran, the hardest-hit country in the Middle East region, reported an overnight registration of 1,642 novel coronavirus infections, bringing the tally in the country to 375,212.

Out of the new cases, 573 patients have been hospitalized, the spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education Sima Sadat Lari said at her daily briefing.

The pandemic has so far claimed 21,571 lives in Iran, up by 109 in the past 24 hours, Lari said.

In total, 323,233 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals since February, while 3,729 remain in critical condition under intensive care.

Turkey confirmed 1,587 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, raising the total diagnosed patients to 270,133, while 44 people died in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 6,370.

Turkish students started online schooling on Monday amid growing concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 infection as the daily cases are on the rise in Turkey. The country mulls to start face-to-face education on Sept. 21 after evaluation of the pandemic situation.

Meanwhile, Turkey's biggest city Istanbul banned indoor engagement parties, circumcision ceremonies, henna nights, and similar activities over the increasing number of daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths across the country.

Irsael reported 2,576 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 116,596, while 20 new death cases were confirmed, taking the death toll to 939.

Over 2 million Israeli students will return to schools on Tuesday under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The education ministry has come up with stringent guidelines on how the school year should be conducted. While younger children have been divided into smaller groups and will attend school between five to dix days a week, the older students will conduct most of their studies at home.

The United Arab Emirates on Monday announced 541 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 70,231. It also confirmed two more deaths, pushing the country's death toll to 384.

The Iraqi Health Ministry on Monday reported 3,757 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 234,934. It also reported 83 deaths during the day, raising the death toll to 7,042.

Kuwait on Monday reported 473 new COVID-19 cases and one more death, raising the tally of infections to 85,109 and the death toll to 531.

Lebanon's number of COVID-19 infections increased on Monday by 438 cases to 17,308 while death toll went up by seven to 167.

Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan said that the cabinet allocated 10 million US dollars to be distributed among 10 public hospitals to help fight against COVID-19.

Lebanon's number of COVID-19 cases has been increasing remarkably on a daily basis due to the lack of proper precautionary measures by citizens.

Hassan said Monday that the best way to restrict the spread of the virus is through adopting personal protection measures.

The Qatari Health Ministry on Monday announced 203 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 118,778, while no new fatalities were reported, keeping the tally at 197.

The Omani Health Ministry on Monday announced 178 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 85,722, while the death toll swelled by eight to 685.

Morocco registered 1,191 new COVID-19 cases and 30 deaths, increasing the tally of infections to 62,590 and the death toll to 1,141.