Iran’s health ministry reports more than 680 daily COVID-19 deaths for the first time, as nationwide curbs to contain the spread of the virus are lifted.
The ministry says the deaths of 684 people in the past 24 hours have brought the total number of fatalities to 102,038.
Iran also registers 36,419 new infections, raising the total since the pandemic started to 4,677,114.
Iranian health officials have acknowledged that the ministry’s figures understate the real toll, but even they make Iran the worst-hit Middle Eastern country.
Last week, Iran tightened curbs to contain the spread of the virus. The six-day restrictive measures that ended yesterday included the closure of government buildings, banks and non-essential shops.
A nationwide ban on private car travel between provinces remains in force until August 27.
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