![A health official prepares medical equipments in International Fair ground, which has been temporarily turned into a hospital in fighting against coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, for patients in Baghdad, Iraq on July 18, 2020. [Murtadha Al-Sudani - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/d2.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200718_2_43503264_56795291.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
Iraq reported close to 4,600 new coronavirus cases and 68 more deaths on Friday, Anadolu Agency reports.
The nationwide death toll now stands at 8,867, according to the Health Ministry.
A total of 4,593 more infections raised the overall case count to 344,699, while the number of recoveries has reached 273,266, the ministry said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 984,000 lives in 188 countries and regions since last December.
The US, India, Brazil, and Russia are currently the worst-hit countries.
More than 32.3 million cases have been reported worldwide, while over 22.27 million patients have recovered, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.
READ: Violence mounts against Iraqi doctors as COVID cases spike