Iran reports record of 31,814 daily coronavirus cases

Tehran, Jul 26 (EFE).- Iran on Monday reported a record of 31,814 Covid-19 cases, the highest daily tally in the Islamic Republic since the beginning of the pandemic, and 322 deaths despite restrictions imposed a week ago.

 This brings the total number to 3,723,246 cases and 89,122 deaths since the virus was first detected last year.

The record number of infections came as non-essential businesses in Tehran, population 13 million, and the nearby province of Alborz resume activity on Monday after a 6-day closure.

Iran has been struggling with a fifth wave of infections that has been worsened by the Delta variant.

All restaurants and cafeterias, event halls, theaters and cinemas, gyms, and shopping centers among others must remain closed in cities on high alert for infection rates, according to the interior ministry, which added there had been several occasions where people had ignored the guidelines.

The vaccine rollout has advanced slowly due to a jab shortage. Some 10.5 million people, in a country of 82.9 million, have had at least one dose of a vaccine. EFE

ar/ta