Iran's health ministry on Sunday reported its highest daily number of COVID-19 infections in more than three weeks.

Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said 2,685 people tested positive in the past 24 hours, marking the highest single-day number since July 8.

Iran, which has a population of about 83 million, has been the hardest hit Middle East country by the pandemic. There has been a surge in cases since mid-May, just before restaurants, cafes, museums and historical sites reopened.

A poll in June by Iran's health ministry poll found that the percentage of people social distancing dropped from 90% to 40% and self-isolation fell from 86% to 32%.

In mid-July, President Hassan Rouhani told a televised audience that 25 million Iranians may have been infected with the coronavirus. Health Minister Saeed Namaki recently told Iranian media that people have ignored social-distancing rules.

On Friday, human rights organization Amnesty International reported that it had obtained leaked letters from the Iranian government showing ignored pleas to address the spread of COVID-19 in prisons.

According to Johns Hopkins University, Iran's first coronavirus case was reported on Feb. 18. As of Sunday at 5:20 p.m. ET, Iran has confirmed 306,752 coronavirus cases and 16,982 deaths.

Coronavirus