[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Iran died during treatment, marking the first COVID-19 related deaths in the Middle East.
According to foreign media including the Associated Press (AP) on the 19th (local time), Iran's state-run IRNA reported that two confirmed COVID-19 patients in Iran died during treatment. The nationality and identity of the patients have not yet been disclosed, but they are presumed to be Iranian nationals. This marks the first COVID-19 related deaths in the Middle East.
Earlier, Iran's Ministry of Health announced that two confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified in Qom, a city about 140 km from Tehran, the capital of Iran. Both confirmed patients were receiving treatment in Qom, and following their deaths, schools in Qom were ordered to close simultaneously and investigations are planned. Both infected patients died approximately five hours after the Ministry of Health announced the confirmed cases.
So far, in the Middle East region, nine people have been infected in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including seven Chinese, one Filipino, and one Indian; among them, three have recovered and six are undergoing treatment.
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