Fahrettin Koca

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 declining, says health minister

Hospitalizations in Turkey due to COVID-19 is in decline, the country's health minister has said, however, renewing calls on the public to get a booster shot against the virus.

"Following a noticeable drop, the number of daily cases remain at a certain level," Fahrettin Koca wrote on Twitter.

Highly anticipated Science Board meeting postponed

The Health Ministry's Science Board, which advises the government on COVID-19, postponed its highly anticipated meeting for a week.

Board members were supposed to discuss on Feb.23 the fight against the pandemic and reconsider anti-virus measures.

"The press release regarding the measures will be issued on March 1," the Health Ministry said.

Outdoor mask, social distancing mandate may be scrapped in March

Turkish officials are considering scrapping obligations to wear protective face masks and social distancing starting March as they expect the pandemic situation to improve by then.

If plans go ahead, people will not be required to have their masks on or observe the social distancing rules in parks and streets. The new regulation will also apply to restaurants' outdoor dining spaces.

Pandemic situation appears to be stable, says expert

The pandemic situation in Turkey appears to have stabilized, an expert has said, however, warning that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 still poses risks, particularly to the unvaccinated.

The recent increase in coronavirus cases Turkey has witnessed is due to this strain, said Afşin Kayıpmaz from the Health Ministry's Science Board.

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