Minister of Health, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, held a press conference following the Coronavirus Scientific Committee teleconference.
Pointing out the fact that public awareness had further improved on coronavirus measures, Koca added that data would be discussed as a part of every press conference to be held thereafter.
"Do not make contact, keep distance"
Minister told reporters that the number of cases were 18.235 as of the day before and continued:
"Before observation and treatment, all these people carried the virus. Most of them were in public, engaged in social activities. They were going about their day before being quarantined. Please, for a moment, forget the fact that contacts of these cases are being observed. And think about the fact that there definitely are other cases that have not been detected. And remember how easy and fast the transmission was. There is a measure that will break the chain of transmission, and we know what that measure is. Not making contact and keeping a distance.
"Mobility of the young population is our weakness"
Noting that the deaths of cases over the age of 60 were saddening for everyone, Koca added: "I am warning our elders. Do not leave home. I am warning families, protect your elders from risk. I am warning the young people. You cannot know if you are a carrier or not."
Noting that they were focusing on two precautions that would reduce the rate of transmission, Koca said, "The mobility of the young population is our weakness. The Scientific Committee recommended stricter measures in areas with a higher risk of transmission. And I submitted these recommendations to the President. The President will announce his decision himself."
Then, Koca provided information about the situation on April 3:
"A total of 141.716 tests were performed. 2.786 cases were detected. The total number of cases is 20.921. Including 69 cases today, the total number of people who lost their lives has reached to 425.
There are no deaths in 25 provinces. There are 12.231 cases in Istanbul, 1105 in Izmir, 860 in Ankara, 601 in Konya and 500 in Kocaeli. Istanbul is where we have the highest number of deaths, 210 in total.
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