Iran has reported 35 new deaths from the coronavirus — the lowest number since March 7 despite infections rising — and announced a further relaxation of Covid-19-related closures.

“Despite the unfortunate loss of 35 of our compatriots in the past 24 hours, this number is the lowest in the past 70 days,” health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said.

The new deaths brought the overall toll to 6,937, he added.

But in an ominous sign, Iran yesterday reported its highest number of new infections in more than a month. “We are in no way in a normal situation yet,” Jahanpour said.