Iran reports another death, 10 new cases of new coronavirus

Iranian health authorities on Saturday reported a fifth death from new virus that emerged in China, and said fatality was from among 10 new confirmed cases of virus in Iran.

death occurred Friday, health ministry spokesman Kiaush Jahanpour said on state TV. Two or people h died earlier Friday from COVID-19, illness caused by virus. Authorities reported two deaths previously this week. So far, 28 cases have been confirmed in Iran, including five who died.

deaths came as Iranians voted in nationwide parliamentary elections Friday. Many voters went to polls wearing face masks, and some pharmacies ran out of masks and hand sanitizer amid election-day rush.

Jahanpour said that of 10 newly detected cases, two were in capital of Tehran and eight were in city of Qom. That's where first two elderly patients died on Wednesday. He said two patients in capital h visited Qom or h links with city.

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Mio Mohraz, an Iranian health ministry official, h said Friday that virus “possibly came from Chinese workers who work in Qom and traveled to China.” She did t elaborate. A Chinese company has been building a solar power plant in Qom.

Elsewhere in region, Saudi Arabia anunced that citizens and residents of kingdom are t permitted to travel to Iran following spre of virus re. Anyone previously in Iran will only be permitted entry to country after 14-day incubation period of virus has passed.

decision, while t specifically mentioning Iranian nationals, directly impacts thousands of Iranians who travel to Mecca and Medina for Islamic pilgrims, effectively barring m from entry to Saudi Arabia.

kingdom has alrey barred its citizens and residents from travel to China.

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