TEHRAN, Aug 2 — Iran’s daily Covid caseload crossed 37,000 mark for the first time today, the health ministry said, as the Islamic republic also recorded its highest daily fatalities in three months.

In the past 24 hours, Iran registered a record 37,189 positive cases, bringing the total number of infections since the start of the pandemic to 3,940,708.

The record caseload is Iran’s fourth in two weeks as positive cases surge in what the authorities say is the country’s "fifth wave” of the virus.

The hardest-hit country in the Middle East also recorded 411 additional coronavirus-related deaths, taking the total death toll to 91,407, the ministry said.

Authorities have previously admitted that the official figures do not account for all cases.

They have blamed the recent spike in deaths and infections on lax observance of health protocols and the spread of the aggressive Delta variant.

Deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi warned today that "if the current situation continues, daily deaths can reach close to even 500”.

Iran has pinned its hopes on vaccinations to help combat the health crisis, but its innoculation campaign since early February has progressed more slowly than planned.

Choked by US sanctions that have made it difficult to transfer money to foreign firms, Iran says it is struggling to import vaccines.

Over 10.2 million people have received so far a first dose, and 2.7 million have received the necessary two jabs, the health ministry said. — AFP