Alert: covid-19 coronavirus infection cases on the rise in Iraq, just as Pope Francis is set to visit the country from March 5-8, 2021
Pope Francis to visit Iraq amid growing Covid-19 cases.
Vatican City, March 1, 2021 - According to reports from coronavirus tracker Worldometer, cases of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in Iraq are on the rise as Pope Francis is set to visit the country in March. As the number of COVID-19 cases in Iraq began to rise in early February, the government announced a new shutdown, which began on February 18. Churches and mosques are closed, and there is a "total curfew" from Friday through Sunday and a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the rest of the week, at least until March 8. Grocery stores, bakeries and pharmacies may remain open and people may leave their homes to go to them.
Covid-19 contagions in the prelate.
A week before Pope Francis´ arrival in Iraq, the Vatican nuncio in Baghdad and several staff members tested positive for COVID-19 and began self-isolation.
The embassy confirmed the news on February 28, after the nuncio, Archbishop Mitja Leskovar, told Reuters news agency that although he was experiencing mild symptoms and was in self-isolation, the Pope´s visit was going ahead.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraq from March 5-8. He normally stays at the nunciature when he visits a country. Italian media said those who tested positive in Baghdad had moved out of the residence, and it was being disinfected.
The National News, based in Abu Dhabi, reported on March 1 that Ahmed Al Safi, an aide to Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the Shiite leader with whom Pope Francis is scheduled to meet on March 6, also tested positive.
Cases of Covid-19 infection continue to increase in Iraq.
According to the Worldometer coronavirus tracker, the number of new COVID-19 cases discovered each day in Iraq had dipped below 1,000 by the end of January, but soon began to rise, reaching 4,336 on February 26. However, the daily death toll has not exceeded 30 since early December.
The Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Irbil, Bashar Warda, told the Kurdistan 24 television channel that it was "historic and courageous" for the Pope to visit Iraq at a time of continuing security threats and the COVID-19 pandemic. The most important event on Pope Francis´ agenda is a Mass on March 7 at a stadium in Irbil. The number of tickets has been limited to 10,000 to ensure social distancing, the bishop said.
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Qriswell Quero, Venezuelan, faithful husband and father of a family. Electronic engineer and missionary of the faith. Committed to the proclamation of the Gospel. Solid believer that there are always new beginnings. Whoever has God has nothing to stop him.
