Fifth wave of COVID-19 in Iran, dominated by Delta (Indian) variant, has been devastating and experts predict it might take another 2 weeks to just reach the peak! More than 400 daily deaths are reported by the manipulated data of Islamic Republic Ministry of Health, while Iran Medical Board officials believe the real numbers are at least 3 times higher. Daily cases keep breaking records and positivity rate has passed 64% in the past few days. Hospitals are flooded with patients and in many cities, including Tehran, municipality warehouses are being used.
Besides the overwhelming amount of patients, shortage of medicines and saline solution have created the catastrophe even worse. Chairman of Tehran Corona Combating Committee reported staggering numbers. According to Dr. Zali, in Tehran alone, about 20,000 people go to health centers and hospitals on a daily basis with COVID-19 symptoms, of which about 4,000 are temporarily admitted! He warned about healthcare staff being too exhausted. He also said the 2-week lockdown is necessary for the workers to recuperate but the restrictions must be implemented properly and a complete lockdown is required, otherwise it would be useless! Dr. Zali confirmed the shortage of saline solution and stated not enough oxygen are in all hospitals.
Mashhad Pharmacists Association announced remdesivir and favipiravir are rationed in the second biggest city in Iran. The pharmacists confirmed there is no saline solution left in the pharmacies across Mashhad! It is worth noting, saline solution is required for remdesivir injection to COVID-19 patients. Head of FDA admitted to the shortage of medications and promised to import saline from Turkey and India! Dr. Shanehsaz claimed by early next week the problem will be resolved.
Despite all these grim reports and Dr. Zali mentioning that Delta is highly contagious even in outdoor gatherings, Islamic Propaganda Organization will be holding Muhrram gatherings.
In the meantime, chaotic vaccination with ineffective vaccines, mostly Sinopharm, continues. Ministry of Health data indicate since February 9 total of 14,024,035 shots have been administered while only 2,855,294 (3.43% of Iran population) have received both doses. The gap between the two doses keeps growing every day.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 409 died of COVID-19 in Iran in the past 24 hours and 39,357 tested positive for the novel coronavirus to set a new record in the 17.5 months of crisis. Graphs illustrate the five waves and soaring number of active and critical cases perfectly.
R0: 3.00
Total: 4,019,084 (+39,357)
Dead: 92,194 (+409)
Recovered: 3,444,798
Critical: 5,959 (+166)
Active Cases: 482,092 (+18,800)
Total Tests: 26,168,347
Cover: Koosha Mahshid Falahi
