<p>Iraq's health ministry reported 9,635 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, the highest figure this month, days after a medical facility fire killed dozens and re-ignited anger over the country's failing health system.</p>.<p>Nearly 1.5 million Covid-19 cases have been reported in Iraq since the start of the pandemic, including more than 17,000 deaths, overwhelming hospitals crippled by decades of conflict and corruption.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/waiting-for-their-dead-iraqis-blame-government-for-hospital-fire-1008795.html" target="_blank">Read | Waiting for their dead, Iraqis blame government for hospital fire</a></strong></p>.<p>The newly spiking caseload comes two days after a flames ripped through a Covid quarantine facility in the southern city of Nasiriya on Monday, killing at least 60 people.</p>.<p>Exploding oxygen canisters sparked a fire that also injured dozens, according to the health ministry.</p>.<p>It was the second such fire in Iraq in three months.</p>.<p>An April fire at a Baghdad Covid hospital killed 82 people and was also blamed on an explosion of badly stored oxygen bottles.</p>.<p>Iraq's hospitals have been worn down by decades of conflict, graft and poor investment, and face severe shortages of medicines and hospital beds.</p>
<p>Iraq's health ministry reported 9,635 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, the highest figure this month, days after a medical facility fire killed dozens and re-ignited anger over the country's failing health system.</p>.<p>Nearly 1.5 million Covid-19 cases have been reported in Iraq since the start of the pandemic, including more than 17,000 deaths, overwhelming hospitals crippled by decades of conflict and corruption.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/waiting-for-their-dead-iraqis-blame-government-for-hospital-fire-1008795.html" target="_blank">Read | Waiting for their dead, Iraqis blame government for hospital fire</a></strong></p>.<p>The newly spiking caseload comes two days after a flames ripped through a Covid quarantine facility in the southern city of Nasiriya on Monday, killing at least 60 people.</p>.<p>Exploding oxygen canisters sparked a fire that also injured dozens, according to the health ministry.</p>.<p>It was the second such fire in Iraq in three months.</p>.<p>An April fire at a Baghdad Covid hospital killed 82 people and was also blamed on an explosion of badly stored oxygen bottles.</p>.<p>Iraq's hospitals have been worn down by decades of conflict, graft and poor investment, and face severe shortages of medicines and hospital beds.</p>