Covid-19 Outbreak In The Middle East -- News Updates February 29, 2020

FOX News/AP: Iran prepares to test 'tens of thousands' for coronavirus as number of confirmed cases spikes

Iran is preparing for the possibility of “tens of thousands” of people getting tested for the new coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases spiked again Saturday, an official said, underscoring the fear both at home and abroad over the outbreak in the Islamic Republic.

The virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes have killed 43 people out of 593 confirmed cases in Iran, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said. He disputed a report by the BBC's Persian service citing anonymous medical officials in Iran putting the death toll at over four times as much.

But the number of known cases versus deaths would put the virus' death rate in Iran at over 7%, much higher than other countries. That's worried experts at the World Health Organization and elsewhere that Iran may be underreporting the number of cases now affecting it.

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Covid-19 Outbreak In The Middle East -- News Updates February 28, 2020

Coronavirus: Iran's deaths at least 210, hospital sources say -- BBC
Iran says

death toll from coronavirus much lower than reported 200 figure -- The Hill
Iran calls on people to stay at home as death toll rises to 43 -- Reuters
Iran reports new surge in coronavirus cases -- AFP
China coronavirus aid arrives in Tehran as Iran rebuffs US offers -- SCMP
Iran Can't Hide Its Coronavirus Explosion, But It's Trying Hard and Putting the World in Danger -- Daily Beast
Why is Iran's reported mortality rate for coronavirus higher than in other countries? -- NBC
Iraq announces five new coronavirus cases -- Reuters
Iraq advises against any gathering to avoid spreading coronavirus -- Reuters
Qatar reports first coronavirus case in citizen who was in Iran -- Al Jazeera