Important Statements from Health Minister Fahrettin Koca
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca made significant remarks following a recent Scientific Committee meeting regarding the coronavirus situation. He described our current way of life as one that must be shaped by adherence to measures. Koca expressed cautious optimism that the coming summer days can be brighter, provided we keep certain controls tight. He emphasized that the precautions now in place are preparing us for a time when fewer measures will be needed. Koca acknowledged the pandemic has been difficult, brought many uncertainties, and noted optimistically that we have already overcome one phase together.
The minister stressed that, since the virus spreads through the mouth and nose, wearing protective masks whenever we are with other people outside our homes is mandatory. Not wearing a mask is a violation of public responsibility, and mask use is a shared duty across Turkey. Addressing young people, he said: know that most of the good, beauty and freedoms achieved in the world were accomplished by those who remained young at heart when they did them. Youth comes once; those who carry its energy through their lives change the world. People close to your age shaped today’s world. As someone who has asked for sacrifices from you in recent months for two upcoming exam days, he extended his best wishes for success to the students facing those exams.
Current Coronavirus Update from Minister Koca
Minister Koca reported that every effort was made to create appropriate health conditions for exams. The Scientific Committee prepared an exam precautions guide, and preparations were completed by the Ministry of National Education and relevant institutions. He said we should act by considering recent exams and asked families not to wait near exam centers but to remain at a distance while their children take part.
The minister released the coronavirus figures for June 24, 2020. In the past 24 hours, 53,486 tests were performed and 1,492 new cases were confirmed. On June 24, 24 people lost their lives, bringing the total number of deaths to 5,025. He also reported that 1,386 patients recovered in the last 24 hours. Koca noted fluctuations in case numbers and warned that conducting more than ten thousand additional tests compared to previous days increases the apparent risk for all of us. He attributed the rise to eased precautions as summer arrived, adding that besides maintaining precautions there is no alternative during the summer months.
The minister said we are not experiencing a second wave at present, pointing out that the numbers of patients in intensive care and those intubated have decreased. He added that intensive care fatalities have fallen to around 2% and that the effects of the first wave are still present. Regarding vaccines and treatments, he indicated that no concrete breakthroughs are expected within the next four to six months. On blood groups, he mentioned two international studies suggesting blood group A may carry higher risk while blood group O may carry lower risk, but he emphasized the need for broader research. Turkey has collected its own data on this matter and expects to publish findings within one to two weeks.
Concerning the upcoming Eid al-Adha period, the minister noted daily case counts remain above one thousand while death rates are lower than before. He stated that the Scientific Committee has not proposed new restrictions at this time. The current approach—Controlled Social Life—relies on continuing precautions. The minister reiterated that the best way to avoid encountering the virus in this period is to consistently use masks, maintain physical distance, and practice hand hygiene.