Iran confirmed on Sunday 15 new cases of the COVID-19 infection, of which three were fatal, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on the state TV.

That brings the total number of fatalities to eight and infections to 43 in the country.

Four new COVID-19 cases surfaced in Tehran, seven in the holy city of Qom, two in Gilan and one each in Markazi and Tonekabon.

Till now, most of the infections occurred in the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Qom.

Officials have urged people to avoid travelling to Qom, some 120 km south from the Iranian capital Tehran. 

Qom authorities have shut down schools and religious seminaries in face of growing infection cases. While in other cities, including Tehran, have also closed schools until Tuesday.