In pictures: A day in the life of a Tehran hospital fighting coronavirus

The otolaryngology, or ear, nose and throat, ward of Masih Daneshvari Hospital, which, like other parts of the hospital, has been turned into a special ward for coronavirus patients.

Iran is one the Middle East countries hardest hit by the coronavirus, with the number of cases fast approaching 90,000

Two nurses help each other put on special protective gear before attending to Covid-19 patients.

Early in the outbreak, Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran was confronted by hundreds of people rushing to it for testing or showing Covid-19 symptoms. Suddenly the staff were at the forefront of the country's battle against the disease

The goggles of a member of the emergency medical staff  cloud up after several consecutive hours of use.

A nurse in the infectious diseases ward of Masih Daneshvari Hospital helps a Covid-19 patient to access oxygen.

As the initial panic waned, the hospital reorganised its operations, dedicating all of its 20 wards to dealing with the virus and its victims

Nurses inject and give medicine to a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit.

A nurse in personal protective equipment on duty in one of the hospital areas now devoted to care for Covid-19 patients. 

Nurses take a break to call their families and friends after long hours of work.

A Covid-19 patient in the infectious diseases ward of Masih Daneshvari performs a prayer.

An exhausted Covid-19 patient says he is worried after a few days at the hospital.

Nurses and doctors have had to spend numerous long days and nights at the hospital, and many retired doctors and nurses have returned to assist the exhausted personnel.

A Covid-19 patient who suffered from difficulty with his breathing says he is now feeling better and hopes to be released from the hospital soon.