TEHRAN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The outbreak of novel coronavirus in Iran has killed 77 people, a statement by Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education said on Tuesday.

File photo: CGTN

The statement said the virus has affected 2,336 people in Iran, with an increase of 835 new cases since Monday, as 77 people of the total infected have died.

Iran announced the first cases of COVID-19 in the central Qom city on Feb. 18.