An Iranian minister who appeared on TV visibly sweating while assuring the country that coronavirus was under control, has now been diagnosed with Covid-19.

Iraj Harirchi struggled during the broadcast on Monday, repeatedly wiping his face as he and his colleague said rumours that 50 people in just one Iranian city had died of the virus were untrue.

The country’s government says that 12 people have died and 61 have been infected with the coronavirus in Iran.

Harirchi told the news conference that if the number of dead in Qom were even one quarter of 50 he would resign.

Iran’s semi-official news agency ILNA reported on Tuesday that Harirchi has now tested positive for coronavirus and is under quarantine. 

The dispute over figures between the officials highlighted criticism of the government’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran by both officials and Iranian citizens online.

In another development, the head of anti-drug smuggling operations for Tehran province said approximately 10,500 drug addicts have been quarantined at treatment centers in Tehran.

“In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus illness among addicts, the treatment centers for addicts will not release or receive any individual until further notice,” Mostafa Hadizadeh said, according to IRNA.

Anyone suspected of having been infected with coronavirus would receive the necessary care as quickly as possible, Hadizadeh said.