CAIRO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, in Iran soared to 1,685 on Sunday, as Syria reported the first case of infection.

A total of 21,638 people have been infected with the highly infectious virus so far, 7,913 of whom have recovered.

Earlier Sunday, the Iranian authorities ordered the closure of commercial centers, excluding convenience stores and pharmacies, in the capital Tehran amid the COVID-19 spread.

Iran Mall, Iran's biggest shopping center located in the west of Tehran, will be used as a temporary hospital to provide 3,000 beds for treating coronavirus patients.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Hossein Baqeri said Sunday that 52 of 58 military hospitals across the country have begun receiving the coronavirus patients.

In Damascus, the Syrian Health Ministry confirmed the first confirmed case of COVID-19 infection, who came from abroad. All needed measures were taken to deal with the case.

Earlier on Sunday, the Syrian government announced suspension of public transportation starting Monday evening, which will be applied in all Syrian provinces.