Iran puts death toll from virus at 2,378

Iran on Friday said its number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 had reached 32,332.

Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 2,926 new cases have been confirmed since Thursday, with a further 144 deaths.

The update brought the death toll in the Islamic Republic to 2,378, the highest of any country in the Middle East.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.