Iran says 43 infected with coronavirus, eight dead: official
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Pakistan closes border with Iran amid Coronavirus fears
Iran has confirmed 15 new cases of the new coronavirus, taking the total to 43 with a death toll of eight. Most of the infections have been in the Shi’ite Muslim holy city of Qom.
“The virus came from China to Qom city. A merchant from Qom, who died of the virus, used to travel regularly to China … Flights were suspended between the two countries but he used indirect flights,” Health Minister Saeed Namaki said.
He urged people to avoid traveling to Qom, a major destination for Shi’ite pilgrims 120 km (75 miles) south of Tehran.
“Obviously we do not recommend trips to Qom or any other holy Shi’ite cities in Iran,” Namaki said on state television.
Pakistan has sealed Taftan border with Iran after coronavirus outbreak in the country, which has claimed seven lives so far.
The border authorities have closed the transit gate, corridor and the passport gate, sources said.
Iran gate zero point was closed earlier yesterday, officials said.
Earlier, Balochistan government had declared emergency in the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Around 100 intending pilgrims to Iran have been called back to Quetta. The sources at Balochistan home department have said that the pilgrims would not be issued permits till the next order.
The government has issued orders for setting up special check posts at Quetta, Mastung, Naushki and Chagai to stop the pilgrims. The deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and SPs have been cautioned to halt the pilgrims to Iran.
An emergency centre has been set up at Taftan border crossing with Iran with doctors posted to screen pilgrims returning from the neighbouring country.
A foreign news agency has reported seventh death in the country by the coronavirus outbreak that began from China’s Wuhan city. Iranian health authorities had earlier reported five deaths and further 18 people tested positive for the virus in Iran
The outbreak in Iran began in the city of Qom, an often-visited religious destination. The health ministry official Minou Mohrez warned it had since spread to several cities, including the capital, Tehran, official IRNA news agency said.
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