Iran reports 184 more virus deaths, over 3,600 cases

TEHRAN

At least 184 more coronavirus-related fatalities have raised the death toll in Iran to 24,840, the country's Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

Some 3,605 more people tested positive for COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, pushing the overall count up to 432,798, ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said.

She added that 365,846 patients have recovered so far, while 3,948 are hospitalized in critical condition.

Some 29 of the 31 provinces are in the red zone with high risk of coronavirus, Lari warned.

Iran is struggling to contain the pandemic since February when the first cases were confirmed in the city of Qom.

In recent weeks, Iran has seen a significant surge in new infections and fatalities. Majority of the cases have been reported in Tehran, where all restrictions have been gradually eased, drawing criticism from health activists.

Health Minister Saeed Namaki, expressing concern over the fresh spike in virus cases, said Iran was in the grip of a third wave after managing to overcome first two waves.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz from Ankara