Omicron spreads faster than its predecessors and “cannot be stopped behind borders,” said Dr. Alavi from Ahvaz Medical University. He admitted only 7% of Khuzestan’s eligible population have received 3 doses of these vaccines and merely 63% administered 2 doses. Fars reported increasing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. According to officials, COVID-19 continues killing many every day. Meanwhile, Islamic Republic Health Minister, after weeks of spouting off about breaking daily records of vaccine administrations, admitted 3rd dose is needed for immunization against Omicron!
Head of Virology Research Center at Beheshti University in Tehran warned about the next wave of COVID-19 in Iran, dominated with Omicron. Dr. Naji demanded the Islamic Republic brings back restrictions, closes schools and universities and allows remote working for employees. He strongly suggested not to take the risk of Omicron lightly and sounded the alarm for “an explosive spread of Omicron.” He added, “administering the 3rd dose of vaccine is more important than anything else!” But the authorities defy the science!
WHO had recommended 3 doses of Sinopharm for “full vaccination” when Delta was the dominant variant. The studies have shown Sinopharm to be ineffective against Omicron. However, since Khamenei banned US and UK made vaccines, the Chinese vaccine has become the major shot used in Iran, even on 12-17 year old students, despite not being approved for the age range.
Khamenei also promoted COVIran Barekat which ended up being a failure and a rebrand of Sinopharm! Corruption of the regime and its “Supreme Leader” led to tsunami of deaths during Delta and now Omicron is to create a similar wave in the country. Official data indicate that since February 9, only 5,188,836 (6.17% of population) have received 3 jabs. Dr. Sedaghat, Chairman of Mashhad Medical Board, reported more than 8 million eligible Iranian have refused to receive any vaccine (about 9% of population) and 25% have delayed their 2nd shot.
The Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 44 have died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours and 1,967 tested positive for the novel coronavirus, no sequencing details were shared with the public. Professor of Epidemiology at Tehran University believes these numbers must be multiplied by 7 and Civil Registration Organization data show more than 314,000 have died of the disease since February 2020. Graphs illustrate the ongoing crisis in Iran and forming of the new wave.
R0: 1.69
Total: 6,181,784 (+1,967)
Dead: 131,306 (+44)
Recovered: 6,022,150
Critical: 2,796 (-11)
Active Cases: 28,328 (-884)
Total Tests: 41,286,279
Cover: Mina Noei
