TEHRAN -- At least 4,306 new cases of the coronavirus have been identified across Iran during the past 24 hours, the health ministry announced on Saturday, saying 124 patients passed away during the period.
The new cases took the total COVID-19 caseload in the country to 6,031,575.
“Unfortunately, 124 patients have lost their lives in the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll to 128,042,” the ministry said.
So far, 5,683,458 coronavirus patients have recovered or been discharged from hospitals.
With the cold spell setting in, the overall situation is improving across the country where only 26 cities are classified high-risk red, with 87 other cities coded orange, 222 cities as yellow, and 113 cities as the least risk blue zones.
On Saturday, President Ebrahim Raisi reiterated the need to support domestic producers of the coronavirus vaccine.
Addressing a daily session of the coronavirus task force, Raisi called the performance of the local companies in fighting the infectious disease as praiseworthy, saying one of his administration’s priorities is to support development of homegrown vaccines.
The president also stressed the need for the public to comply with health protocols to contain the pandemic in Iran, saying the introduction of “smart restrictions” should not result in any laxity.