Delta variant of coronavirus broke all the records in Iran today. Even though the official numbers have been scrutinized since day one and even Deputy Health Minister Harirchi admitted the real figures are “definitely much higher,” Ministry of Health announced 542 COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours which is a new record for the past 18 months of the epidemic. According to Sima Sadat Lari, 39,619 tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the same time-frame, which is a new record too. However, health experts believe the low number of daily PCR tests, as IranTrue has mentioned many times, is one of the reasons that most COVID-19 cases and deaths go unreported! Islamic Republic began with no tests up to a maximum of 140,527 on May 6 and during each wave reduced the number to manipulate the statistics and brag about “controlling the virus!”
Meanwhile, Delta continues its rampage. Hospitals across the country have no beds available and patients are outside on the streets. Samehyah, a member of Islamic Consultative Assembly (Islamic Republic parliament), warns that people are dying outside hospitals because there is no treatment option available to them.
Chairman of Tehran Corona Combating Committee reported 142 died of COVID-19 in Tehran alone, in the past 24 hours. Dr. Zali said 1,940 were hospitalized in the past 24 hours, current total COVID-19 patients in the capital’s hospitals surpass 9,400, and more than 20,000 outpatient cases are assessed every day. None of these numbers include the people who self-treat or self-quarantine themselves. Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari announced several of its cities are in “dark red” status! Semnan Governor said the uptick in cases may accelerate even further in several cities of the province. Official data from Mashhad indicates 1 dies every 20-minute which has forced the mortuaries to increase their working hours! Mashhad Medical University reports at least 400-500 hospitalizations every day. Zanjan Governor warns the residents to prepare for a “bitter experience” in the province. Fars announced a record breaking number of outpatient cases.
While health and medical professionals recommend several-week lockdown of the entire country as the only chance to hurdle the spread of the virus, Islamic Propaganda Organization and other religious leaders continue to insist on “crowded and passionate” Muharram gatherings, which begins from August 10, every day. Ayatollah Milani said: “COVID-19 must not be an excuse to cancel Muaharram!” The rituals and assemblies led to a new wave last year, too.
The chaotic vaccination with ineffective vaccines continue. Health experts agree that late and slow vaccination has been part of the problem in management of the crisis. Iranians blame the current predicament on Khamenei for banning US and UK made vaccines and the regime for not importing enough reliable vaccines in time.
According to official data, since February 9, total of 15,661,958 shots of 5 vaccines have been administered and only 3,072,371 (3.65% of Iran population) are fully vaccinated. The graphs illustrate 18 months of disastrous management by the Islamic Republic.
R0: 3.00
Total: 4,158,729 (+39,619)
Dead: 94,015 (+542)
Recovered: 3,539,035
Critical: 6,462 (+87)
Active Cases: 525,679 (+15,305)
Total Tests: 26,494,040
Cover: Mohammadreza Farbood
