Coronavirus: Death toll in Turkey rises to nine with confirmed cases climbing to 670

The death toll from the new coronavirus rose to nine in Turkey on Friday, as the total number of infections increased to 670.

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters that five deaths had been recorded over the past 24 hours, all of whom were elderly and vulnerable patients.

On Saturday, Turkey restricted the free movement of individuals who are 65 and older and those with chronic conditions, beginning at midnight, according to the Interior Ministry.

Social support groups consisting of local police, social services, and NGOs will take care of senior citizens who live alone or have no relatives to care for them during the curfew. These groups will also support people with chronic conditions who are prohibited from leaving their residences, the ministry said.

Koca added that out of the 3,656 tests conducted on Friday - 311 were positive. The number of confirmed cases on Thursday was 359.

"We should not show leniency for even one moment in our efforts," Koca tweeted.

Earlier on Friday, a Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Middle East Eye that the government was planning the early release of some prison inmates amid the growing fear of the spread of the coronavirus.

A law expected to be brought to the Parliament would, if passed, allow the release of about 100,000 prisoners.

Ankara has implemented several measures to halt the spread of the virus, including closing schools, universities and mosques, as well as stopping flights from more than a dozen countries.

Turkey has also postponed all sporting events and announced a $15.5bn stimulus package to help support families and businesses hurt by the economic downturn.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 21-point plan includes a three-month deferral of loan payments by companies and a six-month deferral of social security premiums for retail; iron and steel industries; shopping malls; automotive; entertainment and hospitality sectors; food and beverage businesses; textiles, as well as the event organisation sector.

Ankara also pledged to pay holiday bonuses to pensioners in April and offer stock-financing assistance to importers hurt by the economic toll of the global viral outbreak.