Iraj Harirchi has been tasked with leading the fight against the spread of the virus in the country, but has now become infected himself.

As recently as yesterday, Harirchi held a press conference to provide an updated progress report.

In a video that spreads on social media, a visibly sweaty Harirchi is seen coughing and drying his forehead with a napkin during the press conference.

The Coronavirus's grip on Iran is tightening

The number of people infected continues to rise and several neighboring countries have restricted traffic to and from Iran.

Authorities say Tuesday that 95 cases of infected persons and 15 people who have so far died of the virus have been confirmed, according to Reuters.

This is a much lower number of deaths than previously reported from other sources in the country. The conflicting information has therefore led to the question of the country's openness regarding the spread.

Canceled air traffic

Several countries have now suspended air travel to and from Iran after sick people in each country have been able to be linked to trips to Iran, Reuters writes.

The United Arab Emirates announces that it will stop air traffic for a week. While Iraq has closed the border between countries for Iranian citizens. Turkey has also suspended air traffic to Iran, apart from the city of Tehran.