Iran has suffered the region's deadliest coronavirus outbreak. The health ministry says the virus has killed 7,564 people
Iran's health ministry said in May that the coronavirus had killed 7,564 people. AFP / -

Iran's health ministry on Sunday reported its highest daily number of COVID-19 infections in more than three weeks.

Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said 2,685 people tested positive in the past 24 hours, marking the highest single-day number since July 8.

Iran, which has a population of about 83 million, has been the hardest hit Middle East country by the pandemic. There has been a surge in cases since mid-May, just before restaurants, cafes, museums and historical sites reopened.

A poll in June by Iran's health ministry poll found that the percentage of people social distancing dropped from 90% to 40% and self-isolation fell from 86% to 32%.

In mid-July, President Hassan Rouhani told a televised audience that 25 million Iranians may have been infected with the coronavirus. Health Minister Saeed Namaki recently told Iranian media that people have ignored social-distancing rules.

On Friday, human rights organization Amnesty International reported that it had obtained leaked letters from the Iranian government showing ignored pleas to address the spread of COVID-19 in prisons.

According to Johns Hopkins University, Iran's first coronavirus case was reported on Feb. 18. As of Sunday at 5:20 p.m. ET, Iran has confirmed 306,752 coronavirus cases and 16,982 deaths.

Coronavirus