Iran records lowest daily coronavirus fatality in 11 weeks: Health Ministry

Kianoush Jahanpour, the head of the public relations and information center at the Iranian Ministry of Health, said on Friday that the fatalities from the coronavirus pandemic reflect a relative downward trajectory.

He added that 1,556 new cases have also been confirmed in the country over the past day, raising the overall tally to 104,691 people.

"Fortunately, 83,837 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals so far, while 2,711 patients infected with COVID-19 are still in critical conditions," the official said.

He noted that 558,899 COVID-19 diagnosis tests have been carried out in the country until now.

Jahanpour added that Iran’s detection of those afflicted with the respiratory disease is growing on a daily basis and said it is now possible for those without any symptoms to be tested.

Iran, one of the Middle Eastern countries hardest hit by the pandemic, has managed to contain the rate of COVID-19 infection mainly relying on home-grown efforts for producing treatment and diagnostics as the country continues to suffer from a series of US sanctions that hampered its access to imports of medicine and vital medical equipment.

Washington has even attempted to block a request by Iran to the International Monetary Fund for an emergency loan that the country needs to contain the pandemic.

Iran's Health Ministry said on April 27 that the country has recorded a two-digit rise in the number of new coronavirus cases for the first time in more than a month, which indicates the declining curve of the COVID-19 disease in the country.