Tehran, March 5 (IANS): Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education on Thursday announced the launch of a national plan to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Iranian Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki said that the plan will be initially implemented in the regions with high contamination with the virus, Xinhua reported citing the IRNA news agency.

The plan will be extended to Iran's other regions and provinces in the coming days, Namaki was quoted as saying.

Based on the plan, family members suspicious of symptoms of the disease will be invited to the medical centres, he said, adding that in case they are diagnosed positive with the disease, they will receive instructions and medication while quarantined at their homes.

In case of no significant progress in their health conditions, the patients would be hospitalised for further treatments, the minister said.

He said that over the past days, country's medical centres have been equipped with supplies, and the management has become more efficient and organised.

Since February 19, when the first cases of infection with the virus were announced in the country, thousands have been affected and dozens have died in Iran.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the international community has contributed, and will continue to contribute to the country's health sector over the novel coronavirus.