Iran battles with surge in coronavirus cases following Persian New Year

People wear protective face masks to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Iran shattered its daily record for new coronavirus infections for the second consecutive day, with recorded cases soaring to 20,954.

The country is in the midst of one of the most severe surges of the coronavirus to date, following a two-week public holiday for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which drove millions to travel to popular vacation spots across the country, crowd markets and congregate in homes for parties in defiance of government health guidelines.