Coronavirus: Iran’s streets still packed even as death toll hits 1,135
- Shoppers throng markets and motorways as families travel ahead of Persian New Year
- Another 147 fatalities reported country’s single biggest jump, with 17,361 confirmed infections
Iran on Wednesday reported its single biggest jump in fatalities from the coronavirus as another 147 people died, raising the country’s overall death toll to 1,135.
The nearly 15 per cent spike in deaths – amid a total of 17,361 confirmed cases in Iran – marks the biggest 24-hour rise in fatalities since Iranian officials first acknowledged infections of the virus in mid-February.
Even as the number of cases grows, food markets were still packed with shoppers and motorways were crowded as families travelled ahead of the Persian New Year, Nowruz, on Friday.
Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi urged the public to avoid travel and crowds, telling Iranians the days ahead represented two “golden weeks” to try curb the virus.
He criticised people for not adhering to the warnings to stay home. “This is not a good situation at all,” he said.
