CAIRO, March 14 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday hailed Iranian government's efforts to combat the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, which has claimed the lives of 611 people in the Islamic republic.

During a visit to Iran, the worst-hit country by the epidemic in the Middle East, WHO Emergency Director for the Regional Office Richard Brennan praised the "comprehensive and coordinated approach" implemented by the Iranian government, especially in the areas of patient management, laboratories, and risk communication.

On Saturday, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced that 12,729 Iranians have so far been infected with the viral respiratory disease, of whom 611 have died and 4,339 have recovered.

Iran's fight against the raging epidemic has been hindered by the U.S. sanctions which have caused severe shortage of medical supplies. Tehran has repeatedly called for lifting what it called the "inhuman" sanctions imposed by the United States, which has so far turned a deaf ear to Iran's calls.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday that President Hassan Rouhani has sent letters to his counterparts around the world, urging them to stop following the U.S. sanctions against Iran.

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia announced 24 new COVID-19 cases, bringing to 86 the total number of confirmed cases. The kingdom's health ministry also urged all citizens to follow the anti-coronavirus measures to prevent infection.

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