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| Coronavirus: At least 210 have died in Iran, say hospital sources | Coronavirus: At least 210 have died in Iran, say hospital sources |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| At least 210 people in Iran have died as a result of the new coronavirus disease, sources in the country's health system have told BBC Persian. | At least 210 people in Iran have died as a result of the new coronavirus disease, sources in the country's health system have told BBC Persian. |
| Most of the victims are from the capital, Tehran, and the city of Qom, where cases of Covid-19 first emerged. | Most of the victims are from the capital, Tehran, and the city of Qom, where cases of Covid-19 first emerged. |
| The figure is six times higher than the official death toll of 34 given by the health ministry earlier on Friday. | The figure is six times higher than the official death toll of 34 given by the health ministry earlier on Friday. |
| The ministry, which has insisted it is being transparent about the outbreak, rejected the BBC report. | |
| It comes after a member of parliament for Qom accused the authorities of a cover-up and the US expressed concern that they may not be sharing information. | |
| "We have made offers to the Islamic Republic of Iran to help," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a congressional committee in Washington on Friday. | "We have made offers to the Islamic Republic of Iran to help," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a congressional committee in Washington on Friday. |
| "Their healthcare infrastructure is not robust and to date, their willingness to share information about what's really going on inside... Iran has not been robust." | "Their healthcare infrastructure is not robust and to date, their willingness to share information about what's really going on inside... Iran has not been robust." |
| There have been more than 83,000 reported cases of Covid-19 worldwide and 2,800 deaths since the disease emerged late last year - the vast majority in China. | There have been more than 83,000 reported cases of Covid-19 worldwide and 2,800 deaths since the disease emerged late last year - the vast majority in China. |
| Growing lack of confidence in authorities | Growing lack of confidence in authorities |
| By Kasra Naji, BBC Persian | By Kasra Naji, BBC Persian |
| There are fears in Iran that the government, unsure of how to handle the outbreak, is covering up the extent of the spread of the new coronavirus disease. | There are fears in Iran that the government, unsure of how to handle the outbreak, is covering up the extent of the spread of the new coronavirus disease. |
| Now, a tally of figures reported by BBC Persian's sources in several hospitals suggests at least 210 people had died across the country as of Thursday night. | Now, a tally of figures reported by BBC Persian's sources in several hospitals suggests at least 210 people had died across the country as of Thursday night. |
| The highest number of deaths were said to be in Tehran, where a disproportionately high number of officials have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19, including a vice-president, a deputy minister, and at least two MPs. | The highest number of deaths were said to be in Tehran, where a disproportionately high number of officials have reportedly tested positive for Covid-19, including a vice-president, a deputy minister, and at least two MPs. |
| Friday prayers in Tehran and 22 other cities were cancelled, and schools and universities have been closed until further notice. | Friday prayers in Tehran and 22 other cities were cancelled, and schools and universities have been closed until further notice. |
| Thousands of Iranians have also been stranded inside and outside the country as many flights have been stopped to and from Iran. | Thousands of Iranians have also been stranded inside and outside the country as many flights have been stopped to and from Iran. |