Corona virus spreads in Iran; Lebanon's first infection case

Two more people died from the virus, and the number of cases rose to 18, some in the capital Tehran, in parallel with parliamentary elections. "It may exist in all cities in the country," the Health Ministry warned. In Beirut, a woman who has returned from Iran has been quarantined

Corona virus spreads in Iran; Lebanon's first infection case

Two more people died of the Corona virus in Iran, spreading it to several cities across the country, with the first case of the virus - a 45-year-old woman who arrived from Iran and was placed in solitary confinement in a hospital in Beirut.

In Iran, in total, 18 people were infected with the virus, which originated in China, and four died. "It may exist in all cities in Iran," said Minoz Mohraz, the health ministry's representative. The outbreak in the Islamic Republic began in the holy city of Qom and reached also in the capital Tehran, Iraq, Isfahan and other cities, this time during the current parliamentary elections.

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Voters with masks at the polls in Tehran, today (Photo: Reuters)

Voters wearing masks for fear of contracting the Corona virus at the polls in Tehran, Iran, February 21, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Health spokesman Qianush Jahanpur said the 13 new cases approved today include seven in Qum, 120 kilometers south of the capital, four in Tehran and two in Gilan province. Voters in the city seemed to stand in line for ballots with masks on their faces.

"It is clear that the new corona virus is spreading in the country and is probably the source of the disease in Chinese workers who work in the city of Qom and went to China," said the Health Ministry representative quoted by the news agency Irna.

In Iraq, the official news agency reported that Iraqi Airways has suspended its flights to neighboring Iran, as a precaution.

The disease has taken the lives of more than 2,100 people across China, and a new study shows that the virus is more contagious than previously thought has added to the global panic against the outbreak.