Iran warns people in virus-hit states not to go out

TEHRAN, Iran

The Iranian health minister said on Tuesday that people should avoid going out in 11 states where coronavirus has been found.

Saeed Namaki warned the Iranian people about the coronavirus outbreak via the state TV.

He urged the citizens to mark the advices by the Health Ministry not risk a mandatory quarantine.

With intense precautions in 11 states, including Qom where the novel virus started to spread in Iran, the current situation is under control, Namaki said.

The death toll in Iran from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 15, with 95 confirmed cases.

Iran's neighbors closed their borders to the country amid mounting concerns over the spread of the virus.

The coronavirus has sounded global alarm, with China reporting 2,665 deaths on Tuesday and nearly 80,000 confirmed cases.

Outside mainland China, the coronavirus has spread to more than 30 other countries including the U.S., the U.K., Singapore, France, Russia, Spain, and India.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international health emergency.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut