A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to COVID-19
TEHRAN: Iran's Health Ministry confirmed the first two cases of coronavirus in the country on Wednesday, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency.
Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said the two cases were confirmed in Qom city, south of Tehran.
A number of suspected cases were also quarantined in the same city in the past two days, he said. He, however, did not reveal the nationalities of the confirmed cases.
On Wednesday, China’s National Health Commission said the coronavirus death toll in the country was up to 2,005, and 136 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.
Over 75,000 cases have been confirmed in China and other countries, including the U.S., UK, Singapore, France, Russia, Spain, and India.
The number of people under observation in China is over 135,000 and nearly 12,000 are said to be in serious condition.
Many countries, including Turkey, evacuated citizens from the city of Wuhan -- the epicenter of the virus -- and other affected areas of China, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared the outbreak a global health emergency.
