Egyptians who are traveling abroad in the next 24 hours wait for their turn to get a coronavirus test, in front of the Central Public Health Laboratories, that belongs to the Egyptian Health Ministry, in Sheikh Rihan street, downtown Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, March 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Hamada Elrasam)
March 12, 2020
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March 12, 2020 2:59 p.m.
Iran asks for billions in loans as virus death toll climbs
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran said Thursday it asked the International Monetary Fund for a $5 billion loan to fight the coronavirus, the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that it has sought such assistance, in a staggering admission of how fragile its economy has become amid the epidemic and punishing U.S. sanctions.