Iran's Coronavirus Death Toll Climbs to 14

Iran

February 25th, 8:46am

Asharq Al-Awsat

A commuter looks through a water-stained window wearing a mask and gloves to help guard against the coronavirus, on a public bus in downtown Tehran, Iran, Feb. 23, 2020. (AP)

Two more Iranians infected with coronavirus have died, media website Eghtesaonline said on Tuesday, taking to 14 the toll in the country, which has the highest tally of deaths outside China, where the virus emerged late last year. "Tests showed they had the new coronavirus," the head of the Medical Science University of Saveh said, according to the website. Iran's state TV said a team from the World Health Organization (WHO) will arrive in the country on Tuesday. On Monday, the health ministry said 61 people had been infected in Iran and that around 900 other cases were suspected. Iran has yet to say how many people it has quarantined, but the semi-official Mehr news agency said 320 people had been hospitalized in the city of Qom, where Tehran confirmed its first two deaths last week. The outbreak in Iran comes as its clerical rulers face mounting US pressure that has hit the economy hard. Washington exited Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers in 2018 and has reimposed sanctions on the country. The outbreak threatens to isolate Iran even further, with several countries suspending flights after coronavirus cases in travelers from Iran were confirmed in Canada, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Iraq. Some neighboring countries have closed their borders. An airport representative said on Tuesday that Dubai International Airport has suspended all flights to and from Iran, with the exception of Tehran. To prevent the spread of the virus, Iranian authorities have ordered the nationwide cancellation of concerts, soccer matches, closures of schools and universities in many provinces as a precaution.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2148566/irans-coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-14