India's Budget 2025-26 cOVEAGE
Presented by:
spot_img

Coronavirus Alert: Three new cases of coronavirus registers in Iran after two deaths

Date:

Trending

Iran has confirmed three new coronavirus cases following the deaths of two elderly men, the health ministry told AFP on Thursday, as Iraq banned travel to and from its neighbour. The pair who died were elderly Iranian citizens and residents of the city of Qom. They were the first confirmed deaths from the COVID-19 virus in the Middle East.

- Advertisement -

Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpour said two of the new cases were also in Qom and the other was in Arak, south of the holy city.

“In total there were five cases… of which two have been fatal,” he said. Qom is a centre for Islamic studies and tourists, attracting scholars from Iran and beyond. However, a government official said the deceased men had not left Iran.

- Advertisement -

Following the announcement of the deaths, Iraq on Thursday clamped down on travel to and from the Islamic republic, with Iraq’s health ministry announcing people in Iran were barred from entering the country “until further notice”.

“Iranians are prohibited from entering (Iraq),” a senior official told AFP, adding that border crossings with Iran had been closed, with only returning Iraqis allowed to pass through.

Those Iraqis would be examined and, if necessary, placed in quarantine for 14 days, the health ministry said.

Iraqi nationals are also not allowed to travel to Iran, according to the ministry.

The border closure followed a backlash against a Wednesday announcement of visa waivers for Iranian nationals wishing to travel to Iraq.

Iraqis took to social media using the hashtag “close the border” and local officials called for a ban on the entry of goods and people through various border crossings with the Islamic republic.

Iraqi airports are already screening travellers for the virus and national carrier Iraqi Airways has suspended flights to Iran.

Each year, millions of Iranian pilgrims visit holy Shiite sites in Iraq, providing the Iraqi state with significant revenue.

Earlier Thursday, Iran’s government spokesman Ali Rabiei said Tehran would set up a top-level body of government and defence officials to fight the virus’ spread, according to state news agency IRNA.

“We, however, need global action (by authorities) and the cooperation of all citizens,” Rabiei said on Twitter.

In Kuwait, national carrier Kuwait Airways announced Thursday it would suspend all flights to Iran, while its ports will also be closed to passengers travelling to and from the country.

Kuwaitis were advised not to travel to Qom, and were warned anyone arriving from the city they would be quarantined.

The deaths in Iran were reported by local media on Wednesday, just hours after Tehran said there were two cases in the country.

On social media, several people accused the government of keeping silent to prevent panic ahead of Friday’s parliamentary elections.

“Just four hours separated the announcement that two compatriots were infected… and their deaths,” journalist Javad Heydarian tweeted.

“This signifies that the virus had been around for some days but they hid the truth.” Public confidence in government pronouncements has plummeted since the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane on January 8 that killed 176 people.

The government initially denied responsibility, but later admitted the plane had been fired on due to “human error” and blamed a jittery missile operator.

The culture ministry has asked local media to only publish official information from government officials and denounced what it claimed was a proliferation of fake news on social media regarding the virus.

Since December, the novel coronavirus has killed more than 2,200 people in China, the epicentre of the epidemic.

Elsewhere in the world, the virus has killed 11 people and spread across some 25 countries.

THE SNAPSHOTS, IN YOUR INBOX

Get quick snaps of everyday happening, directly in your inbox.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

THE SNAPSHOTS

Sign up to get quick snaps of everyday happening, directly in your inbox.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Support our independent journalism PayPal (Outside India) For PayU (For Indian Readers).

Krishna Mali
Krishna Mali
Founder & Group Editor of TechGraph.

More Latest Stories

More Articles

Budget 2025 Expectations: Delayed Payments and Skill Gaps Dominate MSME Sector’s Wishlist

As India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget 2025, expectations are running high from the MSME sector, which contributes nearly...

Union Budget 2025 Expectations: Investors and Startups Call for Tax Relief, EV Incentives & Support for Creator Economy

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to unveil Budget 2025, there is a strong consensus among investors and the startup community on the need for reforms that streamline tax compliance and incentivize sectors such as AI, electric vehicles, and music tech. Stakeholders in the...

Finbok Reviews | How Finbok A ttracts and Retains New Traders Around the Globe in 2025

In the competitive world of online trading, choosing the right platform is essential for...

Budget 2025 Expectations: GST Overhaul Tops Budget 2025 Wishlist for Business and Global Competitiveness

As India prepares for the Union Budget 2025, business leaders are sharing their hopes...

Union Budget 2025 Expectations: India Inc. Expects Tax Reforms, Startup Incentives, and Support for MSMEs

As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, Business leaders from across industries are urging Finance...

Top Cybersecurity Practices for Small Businesses: Why a VPN is a Must-Have

In today's hyperconnected world, small businesses face a growing number of cybersecurity threats that...

HCLTech Partners with Carrix to Modernize Global Port Operations Using AIoT

HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today announced an agreement with Carrix, the world’s...

FHRAI Flags Concerns Over Zomato and Swiggy’s Private Label Food Delivery Business

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), has expressed serious concerns...

Budget 2025 Expectations: FHRAI Expects Reforms to Boost Hospitality and Tourism Sector

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), has outlined its expectations for the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26. FHRAI urges the government...

The Sustainable Tech That Will Simplify Life as a Homeowner

Owning a home is the ultimate dream…until it’s 7 a.m., your driveway is buried...

Powering the Future: How Digitisation is Transforming Power Transmission & Distribution

As India, the third-largest producer, and consumer of electricity worldwide with over 442 gigawatts...

Preparing for a Data-Driven Future: How the GRE Assesses Academic and Analytical Readiness

As sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to grow and...

ECO Hotels & Resorts Ltd Opens 60 Room Property In Bengaluru

ECO Hotels & Resorts Limited, a stock exchange-listed mid-segment hotel chain has today said...

Vehant Technologies Secures $9 Mn from True North via NCD

Vehant Technologies, a provider of AI-driven security and surveillance solutions, has raised $9 million (approximately ₹75 crore) through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) from True North. "The...

Botanic Healthcare draws $30 Mn in fresh round funding

Telangana-based nutraceutical company, Botanic Healthcare today announced that it has raised ₹250 crore (approximately $30 million) in a fresh funding round. The investment, structured as equity financing, was led by Stakeboat Capital, with participation from Abakkus Four2Eight Opportunities Fund and DS Group, a limited partner...

Delhi High Court Shields Upstox Trademark Rights, Targets Telegram Violators

Delhi High Court has granted an interim injunction in favor of RKSV Securities India...

GPS Renewables Appoints Central Bank of India ex-MD Homai Ardeshir Daruwalla As Independent Director

GPS Renewables, an India-based biogas engineering company on Monday announced the appointment of...

Proxgy Snaps $3 Mn from Indian Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and others

Proxgy, a Gurugram-based technology company specializing in virtual assistance and concierge services, has announced...

Groyyo Promotes Nitin Jain to Co-founder

B2B manufacturing technology company Groyyo has announced the promotion of its Managing Director (Exports),...

Embracing Linguistic Diversity: How Multilingual Education Supports India’s Linguistic Heritage

India is a country of rich culture, multilingualism, and heritage. It is the most...

5 Tips to Expand Your Client Base Efficiently

Growing your client base is essential for the success and sustainability of your business....

Driving ROI Through AI: CEO Dipal Dutta on RedoQ’s Hybrid Approach to Automation

Speaking to TechGraph, Dipal Dutta, CEO and Founder of RedoQ, explained how the company...

What is RTP and How Does It Affect Slots Winnings?

If you’ve ever played a slot game, you’ve likely come across the term "RTP."...

Godrej Capital’s Gen AI Plan: CTO Jyothirlatha B on SAKSHAM AI and the Future of Financial Services

Speaking to TechGraph, Godrej Capital CTO Jyothirlatha B shared how the company is harnessing...

Preparing for a Data-Driven Future: How the GRE Assesses Academic and Analytical Readiness

As sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to grow and...

Strengthening the First Line of Defense with People, Processes, and Technology

Globally and across industries, the risk landscape is growing more volatile and complex, with...

N Space Tech Launches Maiden Payload SwetchaSAT-V0 on ISRO’s POEM-4

N Space Tech, an India-based defense and aerospace startup, has successfully launched its first...

HR Tech Impact on Employee Learning and Development

In today’s fast-paced world of work, learning and development (L&D) are no longer just...

Vinsys IT Expands In Saudi Arabia, Opens New Office in Dammam

Vinsys IT Services India Ltd. (NSE - SME: VINSYS), a global IT and software...

ECO Hotels & Resorts Ltd Opens 60 Room Property In Bengaluru

ECO Hotels & Resorts Limited, a stock exchange-listed mid-segment hotel chain has today said...

What is RTP and How Does It Affect Slots Winnings?

If you’ve ever played a slot game, you’ve likely come across the term "RTP."...

Relata’s Hyper-Realism: CEO Samudragupta Talukdar On Personalized Home Buying Experiences

In an exclusive conversation with TechGraph, Samudragupta Talukdar, Founder and CEO of Relata, a...

Godrej Capital’s Gen AI Plan: CTO Jyothirlatha B on SAKSHAM AI and the Future of Financial Services

Speaking to TechGraph, Godrej Capital CTO Jyothirlatha B shared how the company is harnessing...