Turkey's COVID-19 cases increased by 1,041 on Wednesday, while the total cases climbed to 208,938, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said, Trend reports citing Xinhua.
Meanwhile, 22 people died in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 5,282, the minister said at a press conference.
Turkish health professionals conducted 49,302 tests in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall number of tests to 3,782,520, he added.
A total of 2,219 patients recovered in the last 24 hours, raising the total recoveries to 187,511 in Turkey, said Koca, noting that 1,172 patients are being treated in intensive care units and 406 are intubated.
Vaccination researches in Turkey continue on animal trials, the minister said, noting that the process has been successful. "I think that we can start clinical studies with the ministry of health in September or October."
Turkey aims to produce an antiviral drug with four local companies, said Koca.
Turkey reported the first COVID-19 case on March 11.
Turkey and China have supported each other in the fight against COVID-19.
Chinese doctors and medical experts held video conferences with Turkish counterparts to share China's experience in treating coronavirus patients, protecting medical workers, and controlling the spread of the virus.