An Iranian MP has died of the flu, according to latest report from a state-run news agency.
Last week, Mohammad Ali Ramazani Dastak, who was elected as the representative for Astana Ashrafieh was “hospitalised due to influenza and chemical injuries” dating back to the Iran-Iraq war, according to ISNA.
An Iranian website had earlier reported that he was among five MPs who had tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus but the report was denied by officials.
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According to them, he tested negative to coronavirus and that Mr Ramazani suffered from respiratory and pulmonary disease before his death on Saturday morning.
A health ministry spokesman said the new coronavirus had killed 43 people in Iran, with 593 confirmed cases.
“Unfortunately nine people died of the virus in the last 24 hours,” Kianush Jahanpur told state TV.
“The death toll is 43 now. “The new confirmed infected cases since yesterday is 205 that makes the total number of confirmed infected people 593.”
However, officials in Iran’s health system told the BBC that at least 210 people have died as a result of the illness. The authorities have previously been accused of a cover-up and the US has expressed concern that they may not be sharing information.
