Coronavirus cases rising in region; Iran, Turkey report new deathsMarch 21, 2020 - 20:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The novel coronavirus has been spreading throughout the world, including in the countries neighboring Armenia. Georgian health officials on Saturday, March 21 reported four new cases during the previous 24 hours, raising the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 49, according to RFE/RL. The country's Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has announced a state of emergency in the former Soviet republic in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Gakharia told journalists in the capital, Tbilisi, on March 21 that the state of emergency was scheduled to last for one month. A total of 123 people in Iran have died of coronavirus over the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 1,556, Middle East Monitor cited Iranian health officials as saying on Saturday. A Health Ministry statement said 966 new virus cases were found, raising the number of cases to 20,610. A total of 7,635 people who were treated for the virus have been discharged from hospitals to date, it added. At least 670 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Turkey and nine people have died, the Associated Press says. Turkey’s president has released an audio message urging all citizens, especially the elderly and the chronically ill, to not leave their homes, take care of personal hygiene and maximize social distance to combat the coronavirus. In Azerbaijan, nine more people tested positive for coronavirus, the Operational Headquarters under the Cabinet of Minister told Trend. Currently, there are a total of 42 patients infected with coronavirus in special hospitals in Azerbaijan. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |