COVID-19 death toll climbs to 514 in Iran: health ministry

Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education on Friday announced the death of 514 people over infections with the novel coronavirus which has swept the country since Feb. 19.

Kianush Jahanpur, head of Public Relations and Information Center of the ministry, said that 11,364 people in the country have contracted the COVID-19, official IRNA news agency reported.

A total of 3,529 people have recovered, Jahanpur was quoted as saying.

On Thursday, Iran asked for international help and the Iranian top leader ordered the armed forces to boost fight against the disease.