Three new coronavirus cases from Iran confirmed

Shanghai reported three new imported coronavirus cases, all involving Chinese citizens returning from Iran, said Shanghai Health Commission on Friday afternoon.

The three newly diagnosed cases are all Chinese studying in Iran. Two are Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region natives and one is a Gansu Province native. They left Tehran and arrived at the Pudong International Airport on March 2 and 3 via Bangkok, Thailand.

They were all put under quarantine at designated places upon arrival and transferred to designated hospitals on the evening of March 3.

They were confirmed with coronavirus infection based on epidemiological investigation, clinical symptoms, lab tests and imaging checks on Friday, officials said.

A similar case involving a returning student from Iran was confirmed on Thursday.

“The four cases are imported cases and received quarantine upon arrival. They haven’t been to other places in Shanghai. The Pudong airport has carried out strict disinfection measures,” said Zheng Jin, a spokeswoman of Shanghai Health Commission.

In total, the city has reported 342 infections and ruled out 2,472 suspected cases.

Among all confirmed patients, aged between 7 months and 88 years old, 145 have traveled or lived in Hubei Province, 34 have traveled or lived in other regions, 158 had contact history with infected persons, four have lived in Iran and one case is still under investigation.

A total of 111 patients are from outside the city, four are from Iran and 227 are local residents, referring to those with registered residency and people staying in the city for over six months.

According to the local health commission, 24 patients are currently stable, one is serious and eight are critical. A total of 306 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

There have been three local fatalities so far.

Another 44 suspected cases are under investigation, the commission said.