Iran sees biggest single-day increase in coronavirus fatalities

Iran reportedly saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, as the country’s death toll rose to 1,135. 

Iran reported 147 additional deaths Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. 

The 15 percent spike in deaths is the biggest single-day rise in Iran since the nation first confirmed cases of COVID-19 last month, AP reports. 

Iran has the third-highest number of cases by country at a total of 17,361, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. China, where the virus originated, has more than 81,000 cases and Italy has more than 35,700 cases, based on the same data. 

Globally, more than 214,800 cases and 8,732 deaths have been confirmed. 

Iranian Deputy Health Minister Alizera Raisi reportedly urged the public to avoid travel and crowds. He said the next two weeks represented “golden weeks” to fight to virus, according to AP. 

In the U.S., there are more than 7,700 cases and 118 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins data.

Schools, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues have been ordered to close by states and cities across the U.S. in response to the pandemic.