Coronavirus in Iran: Death toll surges beyond 6,700

ANKARA

The coronavirus death toll in Iran rose to 6,733 with 48 more fatalities over the last 24 hours, state media reported on Tuesday.

A further of 1,481 people tested positive for COVID-19 over the past day, raising the overall count to 110,767, Iran's state broadcaster reported, citing a statement by the Health Ministry.

It said 88,357 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, while 2,713 patients remain in critical condition.

A total of 615,477 tests have been conducted in the country, according to the ministry.

The number of fatalities and cases continue to decrease in the country, while the capital Tehran and the southwestern Khuzestan province see an upward trend of coronavirus infections, it added.

In Iran, one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the pandemic, the COVID-19 virus was first detected in the city of Qom on Feb. 19 and then spread throughout the country.

The government decided against imposing a total lockdown as seen in many other countries, but closed educational institutions and banned cultural, religious, and sports gatherings.

Since April 11, authorities have been gradually allowing the reopening of "low-risk" businesses closed as part of measures to contain the virus.

Iran reopened all mosques across the country on Tuesday despite a surge in the number of coronavirus cases, while schools in "low-risk" regions are set to resume on May 16.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed over 286,600 worldwide with more than 4.19 million total infections, while recoveries surpassed 1.46 million, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz