Iraqi security members have Iftar on a street in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 5, 2020. Earlier in April, the Iraqi authorities decided to partially lift the curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. between April 21 and May 22 except for Friday and Saturday, which covers most of the holy month of Ramadan starting from April 24. The Iraqi Health Ministry on Tuesday confirmed four more deaths and 85 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections to 2,431 in the country. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

The Iraqi Health Ministry on Tuesday confirmed four more deaths and 85 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections to 2,431 in the country.

So far, Iraq has reported 2,431 COVID-19 cases, out of whom 102 have died while 1,571 others recovered, the ministry said in a statement.

The 85 new cases included 34 in the capital Baghdad, 19 in Basra, 13 in Karbala, 12 in Kirkuk, three in Muthanna, two in Najaf and one each in Maysan and Erbil, said the statement.

On Monday, a statement by the office of caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said that the Higher Committee for Health and National Safety, headed by Mahdi, decided to implement odd-even vehicle rationing system in the country starting from May 5 without giving further details about the period of validity of the decision.

The Iraqi authorities have taken measures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, including a nationwide curfew.

Earlier in April, the Iraqi authorities decided to partially lift the curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. between April 21 and May 22 except for Friday and Saturday, which covers most of the holy month of Ramadan starting from April 24.

On April 26, a Chinese team of medical experts left Iraq after 50-day stay to support the Iraqi health system to contain the pandemic.

China has also donated medical aid to Iraq to combat the coronavirus pandemic. On March 7, China sent the first batch of medical aid to Iraq, followed by the second batch on April 8, and the third on April 20.