Turkey’s official daily count of new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections hit 26,182 on March 23, the highest figure seen since mid-December.

The country of 84mn has now suffered 3,061,520 cases since the outbreak began, although the accuracy of the official figures—particularly the death toll of 30,316—is widely doubted, given discrepancies in reporting data that officials have previously admitted to. The outbreak is the worst in the Middle East in terms of the number of infections.

Seven medical organisations that released a joint statement at the end of last week described Turkey as rapidly approaching the “third peak of the first wave” of a coronavirus outbreak that is “not yet under control”. Even so, they noted, coronavirus restrictions have been eased and the number of tests conducted for the virus across the country has been falling.

They also said that "it is now time to impose a sustainable lockdown" in Turkey, recommending that the lockdown must "cover all segments of the society, introduce serious measures about entering and leaving the country, apply to everyone in an equal manner and ensure that no group in society feels forgotten and provide people with the necessary income support."

The seven organisations are the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Specialty Associations Coordination Board (UDEK) Coronavirus Working Group, Turkish Thoracic Society, Public Health Specialists' Association, Turkish Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Association, Turkish Microbiology Society, Clinical Microbiology Specialty Association and Turkish Radiation Oncology Association.