Iranian officials stated Monday that 70,000 prisoners have been released to combat the spread of the coronavirus within incarceration facilities.

Last Wednesday, the government had announced the figure was 54,000.

Iran has been one of the countries hit hardest by the outbreak of the coronavirus. As of Monday morning, Iran has more than 6,500 cases of the virus with just under 200 recorded deaths. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended avoiding travel to the country.

Health experts state that the coronavirus is spread from person to person. Places like incarceration facilities feature large groups of people within small spaces, and could potentially facilitate areas of outbreak.

The Iranian government has previously indicated that they will not release individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus. Additionally, they will not release prisoners who are serving sentences longer than five years.