ZCZC
BFF-27
COVID-19-IRAN
Iran reports 2,449 new coronavirus cases, 237,878 in total
TEHRAN, July 4, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – Iran reported 2,449 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, taking the total confirmed number to 237,878 on Saturday, state TV reported.
Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said during her daily briefing that 1,148 out of the new patients have been hospitalized.
Meanwhile, 148 more people died from the viral disease, taking the death toll to 11,408.
So far, 198,949 have recovered and 3,136 remain in critical condition, said Lari.
According to the health spokeswoman, 1,769,520 lab tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran by Saturday.
The Iranian health official said 18 provinces are still in high-risk or alert condition amid the virus resurgence.
Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 19.
Iran and China have offered mutual help in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
In mid-February, at the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak in China, Iran lit up the Tehran Azadi (Liberty) Tower to show its solidarity with China, and donated 3 million masks to China.
In return, China has delivered several shipments of medical supplies to Iran. On Feb. 29, a five-member Chinese medical team visited Iran for a month-long mission to help Iran fight the pandemic.
BSS/XINHUA/FI/ 1806 hrs