Minister of Health, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, delivered a statement following the Coronavirus Scientific Committee meeting.
In his speech, Koca said that the pandemic was being fought successfully and continued, "In history, there has not been a single case of outbreak that progressed in a linear way. The decrease in the number of cases does not guarantee that it will not rise again. What matters is that we fight constantly."
Minister Koca also shared information about the current situation in Turkey:
"The figures that are important the most are the number of tests, number of new cases and the number of severe cases. The number of new cases is again over 1000. And the number of tests performed yesterday has reached 82 thousand. We will further increase this figure over 100 thousand. Those who have mild disease rest at home isolated from others and receive treatment. Our medical teams contact these patients on day 1, 3, 7, and 14 of isolation to follow-up."
'At-home patients will be followed-up with telemedicine"
Koca said that they would kick off a new practice for at-home patients and continued, "Our doctors will contact patients directly thanks to telemedicine. With the help of technology, we are moving in a new direction in patient follow-up. Access to treatment will become much easier. This way, we will prevent any risky behavior. We do not have any shortage of drugs. Four Turkish companies are manufacturing antivirals. Turkey is one of the few countries where treatment is free-of-charge."
"HES will be operational throughout Turkey"
With regard to the power of technology in responding to COVID-19, Koca said:
"The Ministry of Health had developed an application called HES. This application is now equipped with a feature to inform us about risky areas. Its pilot implementation is being carried out right now in Kırıkkale and it will be operational all across the country by the end of the month. This feature will provide you with information when you scan a QR code. You will learn whether a place you are in has been visited by a confirmed case or a contact recently. More than 25 million HES codes have been generated.
Thanks to this application, we have identified and prevented more than 95 thousand people, who should have been in isolation but tried to travel via place, train or bus. Home isolation is also monitored with this application."
"We must never make any compromise"
Highlighting the importance of wearing a mask and practicing social distancing, Koca said: "Until we win the fight, we have to live a controlled life. I invite you to embrace all the measures once again. Let us reduce the number of cases together. Let us do that without resorting to restrictions, bans and punishments."
Koca called upon the people and said: "I know that you are tired and you feel desperate time to time. The whole humanity is feeling this way. Please remember, in history, there is no pandemic or war that has not came to an end."
"13 vaccine studies"
Noting that there were 13 vaccine studies in Turkey, Koca added that these researchers were being supported and encouraged.
© 2025 Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health All rights reserved.
