Death toll from coronavirus in Iran climbs to 8

The death toll from coronavirus in Iran has risen to eight, according to a statement released by the country's Health Ministry on Sunday.

Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour also reported 15 new coronavirus cases taking the total to 43.

Jahanpour said seven of the new cases of the virus, officially known as COVID-19, were detected in Qom city, four others in the capital Tehran, two others in Gilan city and one each in Markazi and Mazandaran provinces.

In China, the epicenter of the virus, the death toll from the outbreak has reached 2,444, with over 76,000 confirmed cases.

Following the global spread of the virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak an international health emergency.