For the third time in a week, Iran has marked its highest single-day record for new deaths and infections from the coronavirus, with 279 people killed and 4,830 new patients, AP reported.

Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari made the announcement as Iran struggles with the worst outbreak in the Middle East, with more than 513,000 confirmed cases.

It has seen over 29,300 deaths and 414,800 recoveries since announcing its first cases in February.