Iran reports 129 new virus deaths, taking total to 853

The outbreak in Iran is one of the deadliest outside of China, where the disease originated

The outbreak in Iran is one of the deadliest outside of China, where the disease originated. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

TEHRAN:
Iran said on Monday that the novel coronavirus has killed 129 more people, a new record high for a single day in one of the world's worst-hit countries.

"Our plea is that everyone take this virus seriously and in no way attempt to travel to any province," health ministry spokesperson Kianoush Jahanpour said in a televised news conference.

The latest deaths bring the overall toll to 853 fatalities since February 19, when the government announced Iran's first two deaths from the disease.

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The outbreak in Iran is one of the deadliest outside of China, where the disease originated.

The number of coronavirus deaths and infections has been on the rise ever since the first two fatalities were announced on February 19.

According to the health ministry, the rising trend is due to the increasing number of tests being done.

It says many patients started showing symptoms days after they were infected.

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