Iranian authorities confirmed on Wednesday two cases of the new coronavirus, later saying the two patients died.
IRNA quoted Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to the country’s health minister, as saying that both of the victims had been carrying the coronavirus and were located in Qom, about 140 kilometers (86 miles) south of the capital, Tehran. Iran’s Mehrs news agency said the the patients were both Iranians.
The state news agency said later that schools and universities in Qom would be closed to enable an investigation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian authorities confirmed two cases of the new virus, the first in the country, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency. Officials later said the two patients had died.
