The number of 25 million nCoVs that President Rouhani gave was based on serum tests and could not be used to reflect the epidemic situation.

According to today's announcement by the Iranian Ministry of Health, serological testing is used to measure exposure to the virus and cannot be relied on to reflect the actual Covid-19 status in the country.

During a pandemic, a number of countries used serological tests to survey population samples and estimate overall infection rates, regardless of whether the patients were severe, mild, or without symptoms of Covid-19.

"Serum tests only show whether someone has been exposed to the virus in the past," said Mostafa Qanei, head of a scientific committee in the anti-Covid-19 group of the Iranian government.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on July 25 that 25 million people in the country were infected with nCoV, while another 35 million were also at risk.

An official from Iran's anti-Covid-19 anti-Covert group yesterday said the number of 25 million cases "had a minor effect on the psychology of patients ... there was no need to seek medical advice."

Iran, with a population of over 80 million, is the Middle East nation most affected by Covid-19.

Officials decided to close down some businesses in the capital Tehran to curb nCoV from July 14.