Iranian MP Fatema Rahbar infected with coronavirus dies
Rahbar served as an MP from 2004 to 2016 and was recently elected again in Iran's February 21 polls.
Web Desk – Iranian parliament newly elected MP Fatema Rahbar has died due to coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, according to a local media report on Saturday.
According to the report, a member of the central council of the Islamic Coalition Party was being treated for a new virus in one of Iran’s hospitals.
There were mixed reports on her condition Friday. Rahbar was “connected to an oxygen tank and doctors expressed concern about her condition.” The semi-official ISNA news agency reported that she was in a coma.
Rahbar served as an MP from 2004 to 2016 and was recently elected again in Iran’s February 21 polls.
A number of Iranian officials, including two Iranian vice presidents, two advisors to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and deputy health ministers, have been infected with coronavirus.
Iran is much affected by the coronavirus outbreak. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 4,700 people have been infected, 124 people died as of Friday, making these numbers the highest in the Middle East. Meanwhile, over 900 have reportedly recovered from the disease.
The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Purportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran’s Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.
Several neighboring countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait have banned travel to and from Iran as a precautionary measure against the spread of the new virus.
The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.
