BAGHDAD, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Health reported on Monday 797 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 609,029.
The ministry reported in a statement nine new deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 12,953, and 1,769 more recovered cases, bringing the total recoveries to 571,198.
A total of 5,154,751 tests have been carried out across the country since the outbreak of the disease in February, with 35,272 done during the day, according to the statement.
A member of the parliamentary health committee, Jawad al-Musawi, told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "the coronavirus vaccine will enter Iraq within two months and will be distributed free of charge to all people."
Al-Musawi said that the vaccine "will first be distributed on health personnel who are on the frontline to confront the disease, elderly, people with chronic diseases, and members of the security forces," INA added.
Iraq has taken a series of measures to contain the pandemic since the first coronavirus case appeared in the country.
China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
From March 7 to April 26 in 2020, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Baghdad.
China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem