<p>Iran's health ministry announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from the new coronavirus in the past day, bringing the Islamic republic's overall death toll to 77.</p>.<p>In all, 2,336 people have been infected, including 835 new cases -- the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the country nearly two weeks ago.</p>.<p>"According to the latest figures, 835 new patients have been added" to the overall number of infections, Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said in remarks aired live on state television.</p>.<p>"Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths, and with this amount we have reached 2,336 new confirmed cases and a total of 77 dead." Iran announced on February 19 its first two deaths from the coronavirus in Qom, a centre for Islamic studies and pilgrims from abroad.</p>.<p>It now has the highest death toll for any country outside China, where the virus has killed more than 2,900 people since late December.</p>.<p>Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iranians to stick to hygiene guidelines to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading.</p>.<p>"The health care guidelines for preventing infection from this virus should be observed," Khamenei, who was wearing gloves as he planted a tree, said on state television.</p>.<p>The supreme leader said Iran was being transparent with its figures on the outbreak and accused other countries of trying to conceal them.</p>.<p>"The #Coronavirus has affected many countries," he was quoted as saying on his official Twitter account.</p>.<p>"Our officials have reported with sincerity and transparency since day one. "However, some countries where the outbreak has been more serious have tried to hide it.</p>.<p>"Of course, we ask God to heal the sick in those countries too," he added. Iran on Saturday dismissed a BBC Persian report that the real number of coronavirus deaths in the country was more than 200.</p>.<p>The United States and Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders have accused Iran of concealing information about the outbreak.</p>
<p>Iran's health ministry announced on Tuesday that 11 more people had died from the new coronavirus in the past day, bringing the Islamic republic's overall death toll to 77.</p>.<p>In all, 2,336 people have been infected, including 835 new cases -- the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the country nearly two weeks ago.</p>.<p>"According to the latest figures, 835 new patients have been added" to the overall number of infections, Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said in remarks aired live on state television.</p>.<p>"Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths, and with this amount we have reached 2,336 new confirmed cases and a total of 77 dead." Iran announced on February 19 its first two deaths from the coronavirus in Qom, a centre for Islamic studies and pilgrims from abroad.</p>.<p>It now has the highest death toll for any country outside China, where the virus has killed more than 2,900 people since late December.</p>.<p>Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Iranians to stick to hygiene guidelines to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading.</p>.<p>"The health care guidelines for preventing infection from this virus should be observed," Khamenei, who was wearing gloves as he planted a tree, said on state television.</p>.<p>The supreme leader said Iran was being transparent with its figures on the outbreak and accused other countries of trying to conceal them.</p>.<p>"The #Coronavirus has affected many countries," he was quoted as saying on his official Twitter account.</p>.<p>"Our officials have reported with sincerity and transparency since day one. "However, some countries where the outbreak has been more serious have tried to hide it.</p>.<p>"Of course, we ask God to heal the sick in those countries too," he added. Iran on Saturday dismissed a BBC Persian report that the real number of coronavirus deaths in the country was more than 200.</p>.<p>The United States and Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders have accused Iran of concealing information about the outbreak.</p>