Turkey reports over 33,000 new COVID-19 infections

By Dilara Hamit and Dilan Pamuk

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey reported 33,198 more coronavirus infections, including 6,593 symptomatic patients, over the past 24 hours, according to Health Ministry data released Tuesday.

As many as 5,245 patients recovered in the last day, bringing the tally to 441,515 while the death toll rose to 15,314 with 211 additions.

Across the country, 201,219 COVID-19 tests were administered, pushing the total to over 20.08 million.

The number of patients in critical condition now stands at 5,882, though the rate of increase in severe cases is declining.

"We must avoid crowds and apply our own restrictions," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed nearly 1.54 million lives in 192 countries and regions since last December.

Over 67.78 million cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 43.65 million recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.

While the US, India, and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries in terms of the number of cases, Europe is in the grip of a devastating second wave of infections.