BAGHDAD (Xinhua) – The Iraqi Health Ministry on Saturday reported 4,293 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since the outbreak of the disease, while a ministry official called for tougher procedures against violators of preventive measures. The new cases included 1,068 in the capital Baghdad, 462 in Basra, 443 in Erbil, 325 in Karbala, 290 in Najaf and 264 in Wasit, the ministry said in a statement. The nationwide cumulative infections hit 172,583 after 18,295 testing kits were used across the country during the day, the highest daily number so far, according to the statement.