Iran sees its highest number of coronavirus deaths in a day again as fatalities rise by 147 to 1,135, with infections now at 17,161
- Coronavirus has killed 147 more people, bringing Iran’s overall death toll to 1,135
- Another 1,192 infections confirmed in the past 24 hours, raising the total to 17,161
- Deputy Health Minister concerned ‘bazaars are busy’ and people are travelling
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Iran said Wednesday that the novel coronavirus has killed 147 more people, another single-day record in the virus-stricken country that raised the overall toll to 1,135.
The Islamic republic is one of the worst-hit countries with the virus outside of China after announcing its first death on February 19.
‘Now everyone knows about this disease, and what is very strange is that some don’t take it seriously,’ Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said in a televised news conference.
‘If people help, we can control it, and if not, then expect it to last more than two months.’
A shopkeeper wearing a face mask to help protect against the new coronavirus, waits for customers at the Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, Iran on Tuesday. Iran said Wednesday that the novel coronavirus has killed 147 more people, another single-day record in the virus-stricken country that raised the overall toll to 1,135
Shoppers walk through the mostly closed Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, Iran on Tuesday evening
Raisi said 1,192 new infections were confirmed in the past 24 hours, raising the total to 17,161.
Tehran province had the highest number of new cases with 213.
Isfahan in central Iran was second with 162, followed by East Azerbaijan in the northwest with 84.
The deputy minister complained that in Tehran ‘bazaars are busy’ and that people travel in their cars despite warnings not to do so.
Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi complained that in Tehran ‘bazaars are busy’ and that people travel in their cars despite warnings not to do so
‘Just be patient for these two weeks so that, God willing, we can overcome this virus,’ Raisi said.
The country’s New Year holidays start on March 20 this year and will last until early April, with many Iranians traditionally travelling to popular spots such as northern provinces.
Iran is yet to impose any lockdowns but officials have repeatedly called on the public to stay home for the holidays.
The regime on Monday closed four key Shiite pilgrimage sites. The holy shrines of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Fatima Masumeh in Qom and Shah Abdol-Azim in Tehran were shut until further notice.
The country yesterday issued its most dire warning about coronavirus, suggesting ‘millions’ could die in the Islamic Republic if the public keeps ignoring health guidance.
A group of worshippers pictured praying behind the closed doors of the Fatima Masumeh shrine in Qom, Iran’s holy city, after it was shut due to fears over coronavirus which has continued to spread through the country
People gather outside the closed doors of the Fatima Masumeh shrine in Iran’s holy city of Qom on Monday night
Iran closed four key Shiite pilgrimage sites across the Islamic republic on Monday, in line with measures to stop coronavirus
A state television journalist who is also a medical doctor gave the warning after Shiite faithful pushed their way into the courtyards of two major shrines that had just been closed over fears of the virus.
The country said yesterday it has temporarily freed around 85,000 prisoners including political detainees in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The regime has been widely criticised for its handling of the outbreak, including for its reluctance to shut down holy pilgrimage sites. Most cases across the Middle East have been linked to Iran, with many countries shutting down travel.