Iran covers the death toll from Coddy-19, figures 3 times higher

The government's own data shows that around 42,000 people died with symptoms, Avid-19 through July 20th, against 14.405 reported by the health ministry.

The number of people known to be infected is also almost double from the official figure -- 451,024 compared to 278,827.

Iran has been one of the most hit countries outside China.

In recent weeks, it has undergone a second major increase in the number of cases.

The first death in Iran by David-19 was registered on 22 January, according to lists and medical records passed to the BBC.

That was about a month before the first official Coronavirus case was reported there.

Since the outbreak of the virus in Iran, many observers have suspected official numbers.

There have been irregularities in data between national and regional levels, which some local authorities have spoken about and for statistics have tried to give alternative estimates.

A level of sub-calculation figures, mainly due to testing capacity, has been seen worldwide, but information provided on the BBC reveals that Iranian authorities have reported much lower numbers, despite having a record of deaths, suggesting they have been deliberately reduced.