Iran daily virus cases exceed 5,000 in new record

Iran's daily novel coronavirus caseload surpassed 5,000 infections—a new record—according to official figures announced Tuesday, as death rates remain high.

Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said the country had registered a record 5,039 new infections in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number to 539,670.

There were also 322 new deaths, as the worst-hit country in the Middle East counted 31,034 fatalities since February.

Government spokesman Ali Rabii told a press conference that "the spread of the virus is rising in 12 provinces including Tehran, and nine provinces are on alert", urging "cooperation" to curb its transmission.

Iran announced a record 377 deaths on Monday, and has made several grim announcements of record-high virus cases and fatalities in recent weeks.

President Hassan Rouhani said Monday that the country was now "facing a larger wave of this virus" and called on the health ministry to increase daily testing.

© 2020 AFP