Covid-19: Iran raises death toll to 19 amid 139 coronavirus cases

The authorities have closed schools, universities, cultural centres, sporting events.

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By AP, Reuters

Published: Wed 26 Feb 2020, 12:48 PM

Last updated: Wed 26 Feb 2020, 2:56 PM

Iranian state television says 19 people have been killed by the new coronavirus amid 139 confirmed cases in the country so far.

The announcement on Wednesday by a state TV anchor came as Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour urged Iranians to avoid "nonessential travel," particularly to the hard-hit provinces of the country such as Gilan and Qom.
Iran has been scrambling to contain Covid-19 since Wednesday last week when it announced the first two deaths in Qom, a centre for Islamic studies and pilgrims that attracts scholars from abroad.
Its authorities have closed schools, universities, cultural centres, sporting events and deployed teams of sanitary workers to disinfect buses, trains and public spaces.
(Coronavirus: Everything you need to know about the Covid-19 Wuhan virus outbreak)

AP, Reuters

Published: Wed 26 Feb 2020, 12:48 PM

Last updated: Wed 26 Feb 2020, 2:56 PM

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