Iran denies reports claiming 50 deaths in Qom due to coronavirus

TEHRAN: The government of Iran has denied the local media reports that claimed 50 deaths in the Holy city of Qom due to coronavirus today (Monday).

According to semi-official ILNA news agency, a lawmaker of parliament from Qom accused Iran’s Health Ministry of not being transparent with official death toll.

He claimed that a staggering 50 people have already died due to coronavirus in Qom alone.

However, Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi rejected the reports and said, “I categorically deny this information and this is not the time for political confrontations. The coronavirus is a national problem.”

Iran’s government spokesperson said, “The government will announce any figures we have on the numbers of deaths throughout the country and vowed to be transparent about reporting of figures.”

Iran first reported two deaths due to COVID-19 on Wednesday last week. Since then, the virus has claimed 12 lives and 64 people have been infected.