FNA - Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki announced on Saturday that the country plans to buy 20mln doses of coronavirus vaccine from an Indian company, while Iranian firms also continue their efforts to produce the vaccine.

�An Indian company has sold 100mln doses of coronavirus vaccine to the Americans in advance and the CEO of the company who is a Zoroastrian person, originally from Iran, has promised to sell 20mln doses of the vaccine to us at a lower price as well,� Namaki said.

He added that Iran is endeavoring to develop and supply the vaccine, and noted, �Of course, our research teams in the country are working round-the-clock to produce the vaccine and we have pinned much hope on their positive results.�

Also, earlier today, Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari said that 6 prominent companies in Iran have been activated to produce coronavirus vaccine, adding, �The health ministry will declare good news in this regard.�
The Iranian health ministry announced on Friday that 3,049 new cases of coronavirus infection have been identified across the country during the past 24 hours, adding that 144 patients have passed away in the same period.


"3,049 new patients infected with COVID-19 have been identified in the country based on confirmed diagnosis criteria during the past 24 hours,� Iranian Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Friday, and added, "1,593 patients have been hospitalized during the same time span.�


She added that the total number of COVID-19 patients has increased to 416,198.


�Unfortunately, 144 patients have passed away in the past 24 hours, increasing the number of the dead to 23,952,� the spokeswoman noted.


Lari expressed satisfaction that 355,505 coronavirus patients have recovered or been discharged from hospitals so far.


The spokeswoman further said that 3,869 cases infected with COVID-19 are in critical conditions.


She went on to say that 3,691,399 coronavirus diagnosis tests have so far been conducted across the country.


Lari said that 28 provinces are still in red condition or the status of alert.