Coronavirus: Almost 4,500 dead in Iran, as country loosens restrictions

A further 117 people have died in Iran from the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the total to 4,474, as the country prepares to loosen some lockdown restrictions.

Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on Sunday that they had recorded 71,686 cases of the virus in Iran, which has been the hardest hit country in the Middle East.

The new figures come as Iran relaxed some restrictions on Saturday, such as allowing so-called low risk businesses to begin operating again.

The loosening of the restrictions will not be applied to the capital Tehran, however, which will have them loosened from 18 April.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has urged the public to continue following hygiene guidelines, saying it was crucial that "health protocols" not be dismissed by citizens.

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"Easing restrictions does not mean ignoring health protocols...social distancing and other health protocols should be respected seriously by people," Rouhani was quoted as saying by the IRNA news agency on Saturday.

The Islamic Republic has been struggling to curb the spread of the infection but the government is also concerned that measures to limit public life to contain the virus could wreck an already sanctions-battered economy.

Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei said "in case of long-term shutdown, some four million people could be out of work," IRNA reported.

"Four million non-state employees face stoppage or reduction in activities, reduction of salaries and expulsion."

Health authorities have repeatedly complained that many Iranians ignored appeals to stay at home, warning of a second wave of the outbreak in Iran.