Iran’s death toll from coronavirus rises to 1,433

TEHRAN: Iran is one of the worst affected countries from coronavirus, as the country’s death toll has risen to 1,433, state media reported.

Iranian Health officials have announced 149 more fatalities from the new virus in last 24 hours, and nearly 20,000 people have been affected. Iran is also widely criticized for its slow response.

The official further said that a total of 6,475 people have been discharged from the hospitals after recovering from the coronavirus.

Iran’s leaders today (Friday) marked the Persian New Year by vowing to overcome the coronavirus and build up the economy, striking an upbeat tone after authorities’ delayed response to the pandemic.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called the new year “the year of leaps in production” in Iran’s economy, which has been under heavy U.S. sanctions since President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord.

President Hassan Rouhani marked the new year, by promising a better economy. He said, “We will put the Coronavirus behind us soon with unity, with hard work, and with cooperation.”

Pakistan closed its borders with Iran weeks ago, but Prime Minister Imran Khan today (Friday) asked authorities to allow trucks carrying food and other essential items to cross into landlocked Afghanistan, where infections are also on the rise.

The first case of coronavirus in Iran was confirmed in Qom province on Feb. 19.

COVID-19 was first emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has since spread to at least 160 countries and territories. Almost 245,500 confirmed cases were reported around the world and the death toll now exceeds 10,000.