Iran: will not seek help from US to battle virus

Iran will not seek assistance from the United States to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, said a foreign ministry spokesman on state TV on Monday.

During a briefing with journalists through teleconferencing, Abbas Mousavi rejected the possibility of such a request accusing the US of trying abuse Iran's current situation to force it into negotiations.

In the Middle East, Iran is the worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic and is in urgent need of medical equipment.

Later on Monday, the country's health ministry told state TV that 136 more deaths have been reported across the country over the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 3,739.

Kianoush Jahanpour, health ministry spokesman, who updates the death toll daily, added that 2,274 new patients have tested positive for the COVID-19 putting the total number of infected patients at 60,500 since the beginning of outbreak.

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 could lead to death.