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Seven people have died and several others have been left blind after consuming methanol in an attempt to stave off coronavirus, Rudaw reported, citing local officials in the Iranian city of Ahvaz. 

Iranians are taking desperate measures to avoid contracting coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases rise in the country, with close to 200 people dead from the disease.

Ali Biranvand, an official at the prosecutor’s office in the southern city of Ahvaz was quoted by state-run IRNA as saying that seven people have died in recent days after consuming methanol to fight COVID-19.

“48 people have been poisoned and some have lost their vision and are now admitted into hospitals across the city,” Birnavand said.

"Given the scale of poisoning from consuming industrial alcohol, it is possible that some more will die,” he added.

Iran has been hit particularly hard by the virus, which first appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.

Several countries have closed their borders with Iran, and flights to and from the country have been cancelled in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

Rumors have spread across Iranian social media that consumption of alcohol is a barrier against contracting coronavirus and many have turned to consuming  beverages with a strong alcohol level.

Some have now resorted to consuming methanol, a toxic form of non-drinking alcohol mostly used to create fuel, solvents and antifreeze.