An Iranian specialist in infectious diseases and a member of the National Committee for Influenza, Dr Masoud Mardani expected that nearly 40 per cent of Iranians living in the capital, Tehran will be infected with the coronavirus.

Dr Mardani said in an interview with Iran newspaper that an infected person could transmit the virus to four people at the same time. Therefore it is expected that 30-40 per cent of Tehran’s population will be infected with the virus by March.

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He pointed out that many Iranians visit health centres and hospitals when they have regular flu, believing it is a coronavirus.

Instead, they should receive treatment at home rather than hospitals in these circumstances. He pointed out that if the patient feels the three distinctive symptoms of the coronavirus; then he must be immediately transferred to the hospital and be subjected to quarantine.