Satellite images show the graves that Iran builds for victims of the coronavirus

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window)
• Click to email a friend (Opens in a new window)

Iran government asks its citizens for isolation due to coronavirus 0:23

(CNN) - Iran has rapidly expanded a central cemetery in Qom, the area most affected by the country's coronavirus outbreak, according to satellite images obtained by CNN.

The country has reported at least 14,991 confirmed cases of the virus and 853 deaths - the third highest number of infections after Mainland China and Italy.

Satellite images from March 1 and 8, released by Maxar Technologies, appear to show an increase in activity inside the Behesht-e Masoumeh Cemetery in Qom. The photos show what appears to be two fresh grave trenches on March 1, with more excavations after that.

Maxar Technologies satellite imagery shows the incorporation of new funeral parcels at a cemetery in Qom, Iran, in early March.

Islamic tradition dictates that bodies must be buried quickly after death. However, the director of the Behesht-e Masoumeh morgue, Ali Ramezani, told Iranian state television earlier this month that burials were being delayed because tests to detect the virus take some time. And while bodies have traditionally been washed with soap and water before burial in Iran, two medical workers in Qom told CNN that, in some cases, precautions related to the outbreak prevent staff from following traditional Islamic guidelines for burial.

In a video from a morgue, dozens of bodies wrapped in black bags were observed on the floor, while workers in suits and protective masks walked among them.

The Persian New Year, or Nowruz, is celebrated next Friday, March 20. Many Iranian families visit cemeteries before this end of the year as part of the annual tradition. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has suspended his annual speech for Nowruz, state news agency IRNA reported Monday. Khamenei will not travel to the city of Mashhad, the place of the Imam Reza shrine, where his speech is generally delivered.

"Due to the spread of the coronavirus and the strict recommendations of health officials and specialists to avoid any form of gathering and to refrain from traveling and leaving cities to prevent the spread of the disease, the leader's speech ceremony ... no it will take place this year, ”said the statement quoted by IRNA.

Iran took drastic measures last week to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The government banned Friday prayers in centers in all provinces of the country. Schools and universities have been closed. Concerts and sporting events have been canceled.

• LEE: Iran will temporarily release 54,000 prisoners as they fight to contain the coronavirus

All of Iran's 31 provinces have been affected by the virus, plus several high-profile officials who have become ill.

Iran's former Foreign Minister and current Khamenei adviser Ali Akbar Velayati tested positive for the virus and was quarantined at his home in Tehran, the Iranian semi-official ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

Another Khamenei adviser, Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 71, died last week, and one of the country's leading clerics, Hadi Khosroshahi, succumbed to the disease last month.

Previously, Iranian officials confirmed that 23 of the country's 290 members of parliament also tested positive for the virus. Two members are known to have died. Several vice presidents, which Iran has many, also tested positive.

Meanwhile, on Friday Iran rejected an apparent offer from the US president. Donald Trump to help the country fight the virus. Trump assured: “We have the best doctors in the world. We offer assistance to Iran. "

• LOOK: The countries, travelers and airports affected by the restriction of entry from Europe

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi dismissed the offer, calling it "hypocritical" and "repulsive," and accusing the United States of "medical and economic terrorism," according to state television Press TV.

"Instead of hypocritical expressions of compassion and repulsive bragging, they must end their medical and economic terrorism so that medicine and medical supplies can reach medical personnel and the Iranian people," Mousavi said.

"We do not need American doctors," said Mousavi, adding that Iran has "the best, bravest, and most highly trained medical personnel in the world."

Radina Gigova and Sara Mazloumsaki, both from CNN, contributed to this article.

ContagionsPitsDeadVictims