ERBIL - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday decided to allocate IQD 2 billion Iraqi Dinars (approximately $1.6 million) to help Sulaimaniya in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to reporters, Kurdistan Region Health Minister Saman Barzinji noted that PM Barzani is monitoring the situation in Sulaimaniya province where the daily number of COVID-19 infections continues to increase.

This comes as the majority of coronavirus cases and deaths have been registered in Sulaimaniya province.

BasNews reported earlier the day that at least three doctors as well as nine staffers of Hiwa Hospital in Sulaimaniya had been found infected with coronavirus, two of whom needed medical attention, as confirmed by the hospital.

Barzani's office said in a separate statement that the Kurdish premier held a phone call on Thursday evening with Sulaimaniya Governor Haval Abubakir during which he called on the governor to ensure the health guidelines are adhered by the people.

He also reminded that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has taken all protective measures to curb the spread of coronavirus and that no sides should attempt to politicize the coronavirus pandemic.