Air pollution continues to worsen and exacerbates the COVID-19 situation in Iran. Tehran is experiencing its worst air quality, dangerous for all ages. Officials warned that everybody must stay indoors for the day! In the meantime, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise. Mazandaran reports more than 345 hospitalized cases. An official from the province sounded the alarm that if the current low compliance with the protocols continues, “dark days are ahead.”
Dr. Rezaeiyanzadeh from Shiraz Medical University admitted that despite all “measures”, Omicron will find its way to Iran. Deputy Head of Ahvaz Medical University demanded that all passengers from UAE to be tested at the ports for omicron variant, remain quarantined until their test is negative. Dr. Alavi pointed out that at least 85% of Iran population must be fully vaccinated to prevent another deadly wave of COVID-19. On the other hand, the theocratic regime allows “pilgrims” to go to Iraq and take a rapid test on their way back to Iran!
“Full vaccination” remains low. According to the WHO, 3 doses of Sinopharm are required for “full vaccination” status. Official data indicate that since February 9, only 1,105,056 (1.31% of Iran population) have received 3 shots of these vaccines. The major vaccine used in Iran is the ineffective and unsafe Sinopharm which has been used on students 12-17 as well without approval from WHO or any other international health organization. After Khamenei banned US and UK made vaccines and his “homegrown vaccine” project failed miserably, the regime began to pour Sinopharm into the vaccination centers.
Despite all the red flags and omicron, the Islamic Republic has reopened all schools and universities with mandatory in-person classes. Today, Deputy Health Minister in Public Health confessed the protocols are barely followed in schools and expressed his “concern!” After more than 21 months of using a flawed “coloring map” to mark the “high risk” areas of the country, Heydari said in the next few weeks a new system will be introduced.
The Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 82 have died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours and 4,312 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Professor of Epidemiology at Tehran University believes these numbers must be multiplied by 7 and Civil Registration Organization data show more than 310,000 have died of the disease since February 2020. Graphs illustrate the ongoing crisis in Iran and forming of the new wave.
R0: 1.90
Total: 6,121,757 (+4,312)
Dead: 129,912 (+82)
Recovered: 5,892,574
Critical: 3,328 (-6)
Active Cases: 99,271 (-4,874)
Total Tests: 38,873,156
Cover: Rasoul Shojaei
