The death toll from novel coronavirus in Iran has now risen to 77 — the deadliest outbreak outside China, the Associated Press reports.

Iran's supreme leader has ordered the military to assist health officials in fighting the virus.

Among the dead are a confidant of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's former ambassador to the Vatican and a recently elected member of parliament. The sick include 23 members of parliament and the head of the country's emergency services, state media reported.

Shoppers wearing face masks and gloves shop at the Palladium Shopping Centre in northern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday. — AP
Shoppers wearing face masks and gloves shop at the Palladium Shopping Centre in northern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday. — AP

Opinion

Editorial

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