The COVID-19 stats in Iran are staggering. Omicron has managed to rage through all cities, provinces and hospitals. Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari joins other provinces with 20 times more hospitalizations in the past 2 weeks. Lorestan Governor reported rising infections across the province. In Bushehr the daily death toll doubled after 60 days! Ahvaz Medical University announced 389% increase in COVID-19 cases, 269% in hospitalizations, 63% in ICU admissions, 3.4% in in-hospital fatality and 300% in deaths. Dr. Alavi said 60% of tests turn positive in Khuzestan.
Head of Tehran Corona Combating Committee confirmed 157% rise in cases in the past week, and ICU admissions have spiked by 51% in the past 3 weeks. Dr. Zali warned about spread of infection among children, saying all hospitals and children wards must be prepared! In Alborz, officials report 15-20% of hospitalizations are in children under 14.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic “president” denied the request to lockdown the country for 2 weeks! Raisi “suggested” all previous COVID-19 restrictions for “red” cities should be enforced and “recommended” all officials follow the protocols! He did not mention any new plan even after delaying decision for a week. Khuzestan Governor made it clear “remote working” is not implemented anymore. Tehran Governor did not ban “Islamic Revolution Anniversary parade” on February 11, saying the “plan” will be announced tomorrow and “itikaf” gatherings are allowed in “orange and yellow” cities.
According to official definition of “full vaccination” and Ministry of Health data, since February 9, only 19,300,345 (22.97% of Iran population) are vaccinated against COVID-19 with these vaccines. It is estimated that more than 53 million Iranians are at risk of contracting Omicron. The majority of shots used in Iran are the ineffective Sinopharm and failed COVIran Barekat. WHO recommends 3 doses of Sinopharm to be effective against Delta but studies have found the vaccine ineffective against Omicron. It is worth mentioning, Khamenei banned US and UK made vaccines in January to promote his own foundation’s COVIran Barekat, which led to a deep mistrust between people and the healthcare system of the regime.
The Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 64 have died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours and 23,130 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Number of daily tests performed in the country continue to decline despite experts advice to have a more active case finding. Active cases begin to rise too. Professor of Epidemiology at Tehran University believes these numbers must be multiplied by 7 and Civil Registration Organization data show more than 318,000 have died of the disease since February 2020. Graphs illustrate the ongoing crisis in Iran and forming of the new wave.
R0: 2.19
Total: 6,543,837 (+23,130)
Dead: 132,745 (+64)
Recovered: 6,138,692
Critical: 2,282 (+197)
Active Cases: 272,400 (+14,940)
Total Tests: 45,296,728
Cover: Ahmad Zohrabi
