We have established many times in the past that what Ministry of Health Spokesperson announces every day about the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths on national TV are nothing but lies and a propaganda for people who don’t have access to the internet and social media. We also proved it statistically, even based on those undercounted data. Then came the Civil Registration Organization stats, comparing those numbers with Ministry of Health’s proved one more time, that Islamic Republic has been lying about the number of infections and death since the beginning of the outbreak. Today, however, BBC Persian published a report based on an anonymous source from inside the government, showing the number of cases has exceeded 450,000 and there are more than 42,000 deaths in the country due to COVID-19 till July 21! That’s almost 1.5 times more cases and 2.5 times more deaths than the “official” stats. According to this report, as stated by us many times, the under-reporting has been intentional!
Sima Sadat Lari, Ministry’s Spokesperson, immediately responded that “Iran’s countring of cases and deaths is based on WHO’s standards. Differences and fluctuations in numbers exist everywhere, even in the UK and US.” She also said the “enemies” have been reporting rumors about the epidemic in Iran since its outset. She had announced 2,547 new cases and 216 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 306,752 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 16,982 deaths! Her lies don’t end there, she also claimed that 97% of prisoners use masks and following health protocols has increased to more than 93% in prisons! She said, “Since the beginning of the outbreak, there have been 1,542 inspections from prisons and there’s nothing to worry about, everything is fine!” However, human rights organizations and activists, including Amnesty International, have reported of horrendous situation inside Islamic Republic prisons!
National Corona Combating Task Force convened its weekly meeting today with no changes and Rouhani repeating the same rhetoric about “must have” mourning ceremonies in Moharram and putting all the responsibility on the local mosques and places holding these gatherings! He also said the complete list of rules that must be followed will be announced next week. However, he also said, “ALL gatherings throughout the country are banned.” This is not contradictory, ironic and double-standard at all!
Islamic Republic President also reported increased cooperation by people in following health protocols and said “hopefully we’ll be hearing good news soon.” He added nothing is changed in terms of rules unless Ministry of Health says otherwise! We’re waiting for that “good news” since March, that “Saturday” that everything was supposed to go “back to normal.” He continued there should be stricter and firmer response to those whom don’t follow the rules! The only thing Islamic Republic knows is how to suppress and “respond” to “outlaws.”
Basic Reproduction Rate (R0) and graphs indicate the ongoing crisis in Iran that could not be contained by propaganda and covering up true stats, nothing can cheat death!
R0: 1.40
Total: 306,752 (+2,548)
Dead: 16,982 (+216)
Healed: 265,830
Critical: 4,011 (-10)
Admitted: 23,940 (+179)
Tests: 2,482,553
