The COVID-19 chaos in Iran deteriorates by the day. Today, Saeed Namaki announced there hasn’t been any case of infection with the mutated coronavirus which was found in England. Yesterday, Dr Minoo Mohraz, a member of National Task Force, said, “This new mutation was the cause of the recent outrageous spread of the virus in Iran, making the entire country critical.”
Saeed Namaki has been in front of cameras many times in the past few days, often answering questions or beginning his speech with poems! In one of those interviews he said “the problem with the payment to import vaccine through COVAX program” has been resolved and 16,800,000 doses “will be imported.” He didn’t mention which vaccine or when that would be happening. The Health Minister had given different numbers and said it had been ordered already! In another interview, he emphasized, “I’m not political” and refuted the claim that FATF has caused any problem with the vaccine order, a claim by the government spokesman and a former “parliament” member.
Hassan Rouhani reassured Iranians that COVID-19 vaccine will be purchased and the problems for its payment has been resolved by the Central Bank! Central Bank has been claiming that US sanctions have blocked payments for the coronavirus vaccine. However, Islamic Republic must have paid a deposit in order to become a member of COVAX program months ago!
On the other hand, while every official is talking about importing the vaccine from “reliable sources” without mentionioning any name, Director of Pasteur Institute clarified a point: “We don’t allow injection of any vaccine unless it’s made in Iran or produced in collaboration with another country.” Alireza Biglari who was speaking on national TV claimed, “One of our collaborative works has passed its 3rd human trial phase and we will announced it as a domestic achievement soon.” He didn’t offer the name of the country or company in which this mysterious vaccine is being tested, but he did say, “By the end of next month (February 19) it will be ready.” Immediately after, he said, “although there have been some actions taken in purchasing some doses from WHO and other places.”
In the meantime, Sima Sadat Lari announced 153 COVID-19 deaths and 6,261 new cases of coronavirus infections in Iran in the past 24 hours. According to the manipulated and highly discredited data by the Ministry of Health, 5,419 are in critical conditions across the country, a sharp decline reported every day! However, provincial officials warn against the next peak in winter. Fars officials say the healthcare staff are being ready for the next wave of patients. Testing remains in the same range, and far from the promised 100,000 tests a day.
Basic Reproduction Rate (R0) and graphs depict the overwhelming human disaster happening in Iran in the past 10+ months, while Islamic Republic is hoping for a miracle and doing nothing.
R0: 4.44
Total: 1,177,004 (+6,261)
Dead: 54,156(+153)
Recovered: 914,194
Critical: 5,419 (-48)
Admitted: 208,654 (-4,088)
Tests: 7,201,567 (8.6% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Mona Hoobehfekr
