Iran's confirmed COVID-19 cases near 80,000

Iran's Health Ministry on Friday confirmed 1,499 new cases from COVID-19, bringing the total number of the infected to 79,494.

Out of the reported cases, 4,958 have died and 54,064 others have recovered, according to Kianush Jahanpur, head of Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

In addition, 3,563 are still in critical condition and under treatment, Jahanpur said in his daily update from the state TV.

So far, 319,879 people have been tested for the novel coronavirus in Iran, the spokesman added.

Iran is the worst-hit country in the Middle East in terms of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths.