Iran recorded an additional 63 deaths from nCoV, the highest number in a day in the country, bringing the total death toll to 354.

"Based on the new test results, we found 958 new nCoV infections, bringing the total number to 9,000," Iranian Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said at a news conference in Tehran. The number of new infections per day has increased from 881 yesterday.

"Unfortunately, in the last 24 hours, we recorded 63 deaths. A total of 354 people were killed," Jahanpour added. 2,959 people recovered.

Outside of mainland China, Iran is one of the countries most heavily influenced by Covid-19. Iran has not yet imposed mandatory blockades, but officials have repeatedly urged people to restrict travel and use measures to close hotels and other residences to curb the influx of people.

Several Iranian officials have died from nCoV, including Fatemeh Rahbar, a female MP representing Tehran and Mohammad Mirmohammadi, adviser to the supreme spiritual leader. Some senior Iranian officials are also infected with nCoV, such as Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar and Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi.

Covid-19 originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019, appeared in 120 countries and territories, leaving more than 120,000 infected, more than 4,300 dead and nearly 67,000 recovered.