Number of COVID-19 cases in MENA 2020, by country
As of March 2020, Iran accounted for the largest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the Middle East and North Africa at 32,332 cases. The United Arab Emirates was the first country in the region to report a coronavirus-positive case following the outbreak in China.
Iran
Iran’s first coronavirus case was discovered on February 19th and since then the increase in speed of transmission has been exponential. Whilst this first case occurred in the province of Qom, the main hotspot for infection in Iran is the densely populated greater Tehran region.
Global context
To date over 665.9 thousand people worldwide have been infected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). About 142.4 thousand people have since recovered. Over 30 thousand people have died. Though a majority of people infected with the coronavirus will only experience light cold or flu symptoms, it can also lead to pneumonia, multi organ failure and other life-threatening complications, particularly putting people with pre-existing conditions and the elderly at risk. Currently the United States are experiencing the highest number of reported coronavirus infections, followed by Italy and then China.
Iran
Iran’s first coronavirus case was discovered on February 19th and since then the increase in speed of transmission has been exponential. Whilst this first case occurred in the province of Qom, the main hotspot for infection in Iran is the densely populated greater Tehran region.
Global context
To date over 665.9 thousand people worldwide have been infected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). About 142.4 thousand people have since recovered. Over 30 thousand people have died. Though a majority of people infected with the coronavirus will only experience light cold or flu symptoms, it can also lead to pneumonia, multi organ failure and other life-threatening complications, particularly putting people with pre-existing conditions and the elderly at risk. Currently the United States are experiencing the highest number of reported coronavirus infections, followed by Italy and then China.
