Deadly outbreak: Top Iranian official dies after being infected with coronavirus

• Victim has been identified as Expediency Council Member Muhammad MirMuhammadi.
• The Iranian official was admitted to hospital in Tehran and had been battling with the disease for a few days.
• At least 66 people have so far died of coronavirus while more than 1,500 are infected in Iran.

(Karachi) A member of a council that advises Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khamenei has died of coronavirus, local media reported on Monday. The victim is the first top official who had died after being infected with the disease.

According to reports, Expediency Council Member Muhammad MirMuhammadi passed away in a hospital in Tehran after battling for his life for a few days. The council advises the supreme leader and settles disputes between him and the parliament.

Meanwhile, 66 people have so far died of coronavirus while more than 1,500 are infected in Iran. As part of the measures to contain the deadly outbreak, Iranian government has ordered closure of schools and educational institutions while strict screening of passengers is being carried out at its airports.

Iran has the highest number of deaths from the epidemic outside China. Iran’s neighbouring countries, including Pakistan have also sealed its borders to stop border crossing as part of measures to deal with the outbreak.