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Coronavirus damages Iraqi economy with fall in tourism, oil prices

COVID-19 has harmed both the private and public sectors of the Iraqi economy.
A member of the medical team sprays disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus, following the outbreak of the virus, in a dental clinic in Sadr city district of Baghdad, Iraq, March 9, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RC2CGF9V03HD

As of March 23, Iraq had registered 266 novel coronavirus cases, with 23 deaths. Although Iraq is much better off than many other countries, the fast-growing number of cases — 33 new infections and three more deaths in a 24-hour period — indicate that Iraq soon may face a very difficult situation. 

Also, measures the government has taken to fight the virus have damaged the economy; these steps have included imposing a curfew, closing roads between cities and canceling all religious tourism. This is not mention the oil price drop.

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