Iranian Health Ministry’s public relations director Kianoush Jahanpour announced on Monday that since yesterday, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country has increased by 595, reaching 7,161.

So far, 2,394 patients with the infectious disease have recovered, he said, adding that 43 patients have lost their lives over the past 24 hours.

The health official further said the death toll from the coronavirus epidemic in the country has risen to 237, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Among the cases of COVID-19 infection in the country, 1,945 have been reported in Tehran province, he stated. Tehran is followed by 712 cases in Qom and 633 in Mazandaran.

Iran’s administration on Thursday extended the closure of all schools and universities nationwide until the end of the current Iranian year (March 19) as the country is struggling with the outbreak of the coronavirus.

China, Iran and Italy are the most affected countries by COVID-19.  

Worldwide, authorities have confirmed more than 100,000 cases of the virus, with the global death toll being around 3,500.

First detected in Wuhan city in central China in December, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries.