COVID-19 cases exceed 70,000 in Iran

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iran reached 70,029 on Saturday, with an increase of 1,837 in the past 24 hours, according to the latest figure from Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

With 125 new deaths over the past day, the death toll reached 4,357 as of Saturday, said Kianush Jahanpur, head of Public Relations and Information Center of the ministry, during his daily updates on state TV.

Jahanpur said fortunately 41,947 of all the reported cases have recovered and left hospitals, adding that 3,987 of the patients are in critical condition.

So far, 251,703 diagnostic laboratory tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in the country, he said.

The Iranian authorities launched a smart social distancing plan on Saturday across the country, except the capital Tehran, by reopening the low-risk businesses. The officials have urged the people to adhere to the health guidelines and avoid attending the in group activities.

The country of 82 million has so far registered the highest number of confirmed cases and death toll in the Middle East region.