Tasnim � Iranian President Hassan Rouhani highlighted the major role of the country's medical staff in containing the coronavirus epidemic and said undoubtedly, the people will make it through these tough days together.

In a telephone conversation with the president of Qom University of Medical Sciences on Tuesday, Rouhani was briefed on the latest efforts to contain the coronavirus and treat infected patients in Qom Province.

He praised efforts by physicians, nurses and all hospital staff to treat coronavirus patients, as well as measures taken by the Ministry of Health to screen people in various provinces.

These tough days will come to an end sooner or later, he said, adding that the people feel they can rely on hospitals, doctors and nurses and this is invaluable.

"Fortunately, our experienced and specialized medical staff enjoys a good position in the region and the world," Rouhani noted.

The spokesman for the Iranian Health Ministry said on Tuesday that since the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, 988 people have lost their lives and 5,389 others have completely recovered from the infectious disease.

Kianoush Jahanpour said that since yesterday noon, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country has increased by 1,178, reaching 16,169.

Over the past 24 hours, 125 patients have lost their lives, the spokesman said, adding that the death toll from the new coronavirus epidemic in the country has risen to 988.

Fortunately, 5,389 patients infected with the COVID-19 have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital so far, he said.

Medical staffs in all 31 provinces of Iran have been working tirelessly over the past weeks to contain the novel coronavirus.

First detected in Wuhan city in central China in December, the virus has spread to more than 140 countries.

More than 182,000 have been infected globally, according to the WHO. Of those, about 80,000 have recovered.