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CAIRO, March 26-- Iran on Thursday reported 2,389 more cases of COVID-19 infection, as the total number reached 29,406. Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabia-hosted Group of 20 (G20) virtual summit called for joint global efforts to defeat the virus. Iran reported 157 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, raising the country's death toll from the virus to 2,234. So far a total of 10,457 patients have recovered since the first cases were detected on Feb. 19. Earlier in the day, Iran announced the implementation of a social distancing plan for one week starting Friday. The plan includes further restrictions of the inter-city travels, the closure of public places like parks, swimming pools and entertaining centers, a ban on gatherings, and reducing work hours of civil servants. The Central Bank of Iran has approved loans worth 5 billion U.S. dollars to be provided to the businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Press TV reported. Turkey on Thursday reported 16 new deaths from COVID-19, as the death toll reached 75. Meanwhile, 1,196 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of infections to 3,629. This has made Turkey the second hardest-hit country in the Middle East. In Israel, a total of 324 people tested positive for the COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,693, of whom eight have died and 70 have recovered. Israel halted on Thursday all train services, while keeping bus lines on a limited scale for transporting essential workers. Taxis are allowed to take only one passenger per ride. | 
