Turkey on Saturday confirmed 1,256 more cases of COVID-19, the highest new case numbers in 45 days, according to the country's heath minister.

Axar.az reports that, the tally of infections across the country to date rose to 248,117, Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter, citing Health Ministry data.

“The number of Severe Patients, which is our critical indicator, generally increases with those in the risk group who have contracted the disease,” Koca said.

The ministry data showed 668 patients remain in critical condition.

The country also confirmed 992 more recoveries from the novel coronavirus, pushing the total to nearly 230,000, he added.

Turkey's death toll also climbed to 5,955 after 21 more people died since Friday.