23 Iranian MPs, head of emergency medical services catch corona

TEHRAN - At least 23 Iranian MPs and the head of Iran’s emergency medical services, Pir-Hossein Kolivand, have been infected with coronavirus, according to a statement from the country's deputy speaker.

Kolivand’s office assured that his ‘health is good and there is no need for concern.'

The 23 members of Tehran’s 290-member chamber might have caught the virus via contact with constituents across the Islamic republic, according to BBC Persian.

Iran's health ministry announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from COVID-19 in the past day, bringing the Islamic republic's overall death toll to 77.

Tehran on Saturday dismissed a BBC Persian report that the real number of coronavirus deaths in the country was over 200.

In all, 2,336 people have been infected, including 835 new cases -- the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the country nearly two weeks ago.

"According to the latest figures, 835 new patients have been added" to the overall number of infections, Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said in remarks aired live on state television.

"Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths, and with this amount we have reached 2,336 new confirmed cases and a total of 77 dead."

Iran announced on February 19 its first two deaths from the coronavirus in Qom, a centre for Islamic studies and pilgrims from abroad.

It now has the highest death toll for any country outside China, where the virus has killed more than 2,900 people since late December.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iranians to stick to hygiene guidelines to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading.

"The health care guidelines for preventing infection from this virus should be observed," Khamenei, who was wearing gloves as he planted a tree, said on state television.

The supreme leader said Iran was being transparent with its figures on the outbreak and accused other countries of trying to conceal them.

"The #Coronavirus has affected many countries," he was quoted as saying on his official Twitter account.

"Our officials have reported with sincerity and transparency since day one.

"However, some countries where the outbreak has been more serious have tried to hide it.

"Of course, we ask God to heal the sick in those countries too," he added.

The United States and Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders have accused Iran of concealing information about the outbreak.