Coronavirus: Iran says disease has spread to several cities, reports two new deaths

DUBAI - The coronavirus has spread to several Iranian cities, a health ministry official said on Friday , as an outbreak that the authorities say began in the holy city of Qom caused two more deaths.

Iran confirmed 13 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total in the country to 18, with four of the total having died. "Based on existing reports, the spread of coronavirus started in Qom and... has now reached several cities in the country, including Teheran, Babol, Arak, Isfahan, Rasht and other cities," health ministry official Minou Mohrez said, according to the official Irna news agency.The majority of coronavirus cases in Iran have been in Qom, a Shi'ite Muslim holy city 120km south of the capital Teheran.

The new cases comprised seven people diagnosed in Qom, four in the capital Teheran and two in Gilan province, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a tweet."It's clear that new coronavirus has circulated in the country and probably the source of this illness was Chinese workers who work in the city of Qom and had travelled to China," Ms Mohrez said, according to Irna.

The widening outbreak came as Iranians were voting in a parliamentary election seen as a referendum on authorities after a series of crises, including a near full-blown conflict with the United States last month.Iraqi Airways has suspended flights to neighbouring Iran as a protective measure against the coronavirus outbreak, the Iraqi state news agency said on Thursday.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Iran reports its first 2 cases of the new coronavirusIranian authorities confirmed on Wednesday two cases of the new coronavirus, the first in the country, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported. Jahanpour did not say how many people were suspected of having the virus, which causes the illness that the World Health Organization recently named COVID
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »

Three new coronavirus cases in Iran after two deathsTEHERAN (AFP) - Iran has confirmed three new coronavirus cases following the deaths of two elderly men, the health ministry told AFP on Thursday (Feb 20), as Iraq banned travel to and from its neighbour.. Read more at straitstimes.com. Theres reports of 2000 cases in Iran
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Pompeo lands in Saudi for talks focused on IranRIYADH (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in Riyadh Wednesday (Feb 19) for talks with Saudi leaders focused on countering Teheran, his first visit since a top Iranian general's killing sent regional tensions soaring.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Iran votes in general election marred by disqualificationsIran went to the polls Friday (Feb 21) for a general election that conservatives are expected to dominate amid voter apathy after an economic ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Conservative resurgence on the cards as Iran votesIran votes Friday in key elections which conservatives are expected to dominate, capitalising on public anger against moderate President Hassan ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Voting underway in Iran parliamentary electionIranians began voting on Friday (Feb 21) in a parliamentary election which conservatives are expected to dominate, capitalising on public anger ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »