Iran: Death toll from coronavirus climbs to 429

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

ISTANBUL (AA) - The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Iran rose to 429, the state TV reported on Thursday.

Authorities said 75 people died in the last 24 hours, while 1,075 new cases were revealed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 10,075, Iran's state TV quoted Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour as saying.

A total of 3,276 people have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from the virus, the official added.

Turkey, which has just a single confirmed case of coronavirus, closed its land borders and suspended air travel to Iran last month.

Besides China, Italy, and South Korea, Iran is among worst-affected countries since the outbreak of the disease last December.

As part of its efforts to contain the virus, Tehran has taken several measures, including the closure of all schools and higher learning institutions, calling off sports events, and banning government officials from leaving the country.

The global death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 4,600, with over 124,500 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization which declared the coronavirus a global pandemic.

The virus originated in China’s central Wuhan city and has spread to more than 100 countries so far.

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, many governments closed borders and suspended land and air travel with the worst-hit countries.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz from Ankara