Iran's coronavirus death toll nears 8,000

By Mustafa Melih Ahishali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iran on Tuesday confirmed 64 more fatalities from the novel coronavirus over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 7,942.

A further 3,117 people have tested positive for the virus, raising the overall count to 157,562, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said.

Jahanpour said 123,077 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, while 2,565 patients remain in critical condition.

Despite the rising number of cases, government employees went back to work, and mosques resumed daily prayers across the Middle Eastern country on Saturday.

Shopping malls are now open beyond the 6:00 p.m. (1330 GMT) closing time imposed as part of the virus restrictions.

Iran started loosening the containment measures in April, and classified areas as white, orange and red, indicating low, medium and high risk for infections, respectively.