Iran's high-ranking cleric Golpayegani dies from coronavirus

As Iran is emerging as new hotspot for deadly coronavirus outbreak, country's ar cleric, Ayatollah Hashem Bathaie Golpayegani had died of COVID-19 infection on March 16. According to reports, 78-year-old was a high-ranking clergyman and also one of 88 members of Assembly of Experts which is a key government body of top clergyman which chooses Iran's Supreme Leader.

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Golpayegani was reportedly hospitalised in Qom on March 14 as several political and religious leaders contract fatal virus in Iran. As of March 16, nationwide tally of Iran with a population of nearly 80 million is at 13,938 confirmed cases with at least 724 deaths. Recently, newly-elected female politician Fatemeh Rahbar also died after contracting vel virus which had originated in Chinese province of Wuhan. 

death of Iranian cleric came just a couple of days after country anunced that its security forces will clear streets nationwide within 24 hours in a bid to test all citizens for COVID-19. Moreover, according to news ncy, it was Iran's toughest measure yet to combat deadly outbreak which has already spread to at least 158 countries. Islamic Republic has already shut schools, postponed events and even discourd travel ahead of its New Year holidays. 

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Global pandemic 

World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus as a global pandemic after virus spread to more than 158 countries, resulting in deaths of more than 6,500 people worldwide. WHO chief Tedros Adham furr even urged all nations to get very serious over issue and take all necessary measures to contain virus from spreading at this rate. Tedros said, that word 'Pandemic' cant be used lightly or carelessly due to its strong contation. 

However, Tedros also said that coronavirus outbreak is a "controllable pandemic". According to a statement released by World Health Organisation, Tedros outlined two main reasons as to why decision was taken to describe epidemic as a pandemic. Tedros said that one reason was speed and scale of transmission and ors was because 'countries are t approaching this threat with level of political commitment needed to control it'.

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(With ncy inputs)