BAGHDAD, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Iraq is witnessing a noticeable rebound in the COVID-19 infections as the country's health ministry reported on Wednesday 4,819 new cases during the past 24 hours, the highest daily hike since Feb. 8.
The newly registered cases raised the nationwide caseload to 2,369,272, while the death toll from the virus rose by two to 25,249, according to a statement by the health ministry.
The Iraqi health authority warned recently against a new wave of COVID-19 infections, citing high vaccine hesitancy and lack of public attention to preventive measures.
Iraq has been pushing forward its vaccination drive since the drug authority approved in January 2021 the emergency use of China's Sinopharm vaccine and other COVID-19 vaccines.
The health ministry also confirmed 39 new cases of cholera, bringing the total infections in the latest cholera outbreak to 208. The ministry urged citizens to follow health instructions, pay attention to personal hygiene, and drink only sterilized water.
On June 19, the Iraqi health ministry reported the first 13 cases of cholera. ■
