Iran is grappling with coronavirus and Islamic Republic at the same time. According to Ministry of Health “we should expect Indian variant in Iran.” Kianoush Jahanpur said there is no confirmed cases yet. However, the Ministry has already stopped providing sequencing data on UK variant too. While Interior Ministry claimed there was a travel ban from India, airlines confirmed there has been no directives to stop the flights and they are ongoing on time to Delhi and cargo flights are done indirectly through Qatar and other countries.
In the meantime, even without Indian coronavirus, COVID-19 dreadful situation continues throughout Iran. 7 times increase in deaths in 24hours in Kermanshah, and Hormozgan experiences the rise in deaths too. Zanjan hospitals are at full capacity. Khorasan Razavi reports worrying number of cases and hospitalizations. Fars issues a warning about Indian variant while every 37 minutes a resident of the province dies.
An Alborz hospital’s electricity was cut off because it was being stolen, endangering thousands of patients, while the Islamic Republic has made 124 Billion Toman by fining Iranians for breaking the night traffic curfew. Meanwhile, Islamic Republic Health Minister sent a letter to India’s Health Minister providing “advice” and promise of “equipment and technical help.” On the other hand, nurses in Tehran gathered in front of Judiciary building protesting Ministry of Health negligence for their benefits and delivering their promises.
While COVID-19 devastates Iran and Iranians, the Islamic Republic vaccination program keeps making the matters worse. The Ministry of Health denies setting up in-person registration centers for vaccination for the wealthy to pay and cut the line. But local reports show these centers where some have lined up to register, another way for the regime to make money while healthcare staff are yet to be vaccinated. According to Ministry of Health data, only 165,655 (0.19% of the population) have been fully vaccinated and 784,017 shots administered.
Saeed Namaki promised the Health Commission of Islamic Consultative Assembly that importation of COVID-19 vaccine would continue, while only 2,095,800 doses have been imported since December 2020. Mr. Health Minister has been spouting off about domestic manufacturing of vaccines. COVIran Barekat began its third phase of clinical trials today.
The Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 454 died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in Iran while 19,165 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The reported data have been widely criticized since day one and Iran Medical Board officials admit the real figures are at least 3 times higher. Active cases continue to soar as seen on the graphs.
R0: 3.82
Total: 2,396,204 (+19,165)
Dead: 69,574 (+454)
Recovered: 1,877,517
Critical: 5,206 (+50)
Active Cases: 449,113 (+4,599)
Tests: 15,195,766 (18.0% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Saeed Sajjadi
