ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Saturday chaired a virtual meeting with the government's high committee to combat the coronavirus to discuss the latest developments and reviewing the pandemic's economic implications for the world and the region.

"Prime Minister Barzani thanked all government agencies, together with the health and law enforcement authorities, for their tireless work and dedication in keeping people safe," read a statement from the PM's office.

"He stressed the importance of a continued supply of essentials to meet people's daily needs and ensure food security."

The meeting also discussed the work of the Food and Medicine Committee, a reduction in public expenses and the importance of continued cooperation with the federal government of Iraq.

The officials also underlined the drop in oil prices internationally, which has a substantial impact on the countries that heavily rely on oil revenue.

Over 680,000 people are confirmed to have contracted the virus in over 180 countries worldwide, according to data compiled by WHO. Around 32,000 have died, as per official numbers reported by governments around the world, though the rate could be dramatically higher in some instances due to underreporting.

According to the latest update by the Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Health, there are over 128 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including two deaths and 55 who have fully recovered.