Iraj Harirchi, Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, has tested positive to coronavirus. Alireza Vahabzadeh, a media adviser to the minister confirmed this in a post on his Twitter page on Tuesday.
Over 2,600 people have died globally from the deadly disease, which started in China, and has since spread to almost 30 countries.
The disease has continued to spread and raise concerns in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Harirchi has been briefing journalists on the country’s battle against the epidemic, and may have contracted the disease while dealing with some patients suspected of contracting the coronavirus.
The tweet read: “The Coronavirus test for Mr Harirchi, the deputy health minister who was on the front lines combating the coronavirus, was positive.”
The virus has claimed 15 lives in the Middle-east country, since its outbreak.
