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Iran's deputy health minister tests positive for coronavirus

Iran's deputy health minister has tested positive for coronavirus - a day after he appeared to be...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.48 25 Feb 2020


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Iran's deputy health minister...

Iran's deputy health minister tests positive for coronavirus

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.48 25 Feb 2020


Share this article


Iran's deputy health minister has tested positive for coronavirus - a day after he appeared to be unwell during a press conference about the disease.

Videos of yesterday's press conference show Iraj Harirchi looking feverish - coughing and wiping his face with a handkerchief.

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In a separate video posted on social media on Tuesday, Mr Harirchi confirmed he had tested positive.

In remarks translated by Al Jazeera, Mr Harirchi said: "I too have been infected with coronavirus.

"I had a fever as of last night and my preliminary test was positive around midnight.

"I've isolated myself in a place since."

While the vast majority of coronavirus cases have been detected in China, Iran has become one of the countries worst impacted by the outbreak - along with Italy and South Korea.

Iran's IRNA news agency reports that 95 cases have been confirmed in the country, while 15 people have died after contracting the disease.

Authorities said the majority of the cases were among those who had recently visited the city of Qom.

Main image: In this Monday Feb. 24, 2020 photo, released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, the head of Iran's counter-coronavirus task force, Iraj Harirchi, left, speaks at a press briefing. Picture by Iranian Presidency Office via AP

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