Iran reports 190 more virus deaths, over 3,500 cases

TEHRAN

At least 190 more coronavirus-related fatalities have raised the death toll in Iran to 25,779, the country's Health Ministry said on Monday.

Some 3,512 more people tested positive for COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, pushing the overall count up to 449,960, ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said.

She added that 376,531 patients have recovered so far, while 4,068 are hospitalized in critical condition.

Some 30 of Iran’s 31 provinces are in the red zone with high risk of coronavirus, Lari warned.

Iran is struggling to contain the pandemic since February when the first cases were confirmed in the city of Qom.

In recent weeks, Iran has seen a significant surge in new infections and fatalities after restrictions have been gradually eased, drawing criticism from health activists.

Health Minister Saeed Namaki has earlier warned that Iran was in the grip of a third wave after managing to overcome first two waves.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz from Ankara