Iran reports 3 more coronavirus deaths among 15 new cases

Three more death of coronavirus has been reported in Iran among 15 new cases in the past 24 hours, making it eight death and 43 infections so far, Iran reports on Sunday.

Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour confirmed four new cases have surfaced in Tehran, seven in the holy city of Qom, two in Gilan, one each in Markazi and Tonekabon.

An Iranian woman wearing a protective mask and gloves, stands in a busy street in Tehran. AFP

 Earlier, Iran’s health minister confirmed that the travel from China lead to the outbreak of the virus in the country.

According to Saeed Namaki, one of the Iranians that passed away from the virus was a merchant that constantly travels between Iran and China. In recent week following the outbreak, Iran stopped direct flight to China but the trader made use of indirect flights.

Namaki also defended the government's handling of the outbreak, saying it was being "transparent.” He said it would help make face-masks and sanitizers available for Iranians, amid concerns that stocks were running low in the capital's pharmacies.

Iran is also producing kits for diagnosis of the infection, he added.