Deputy Health Minister in Research and Technology emphasized 2-dose vaccination will not contain the novel coronavirus. Dr. Panahi admitted people’s interest to receive vaccines has faded away. He named “mistrust between people and the system, doubts about vaccines used in Iran, and their efficacy” as main reasons behind disinterest in immunization. It is worth mentioning, Khamenei banned US and UK made vaccines in January 2021 to promote the now failed COVIran Barekat, “developed” by his foundation. It led to the massacre of thousands of Iranians during Delta variant surge.
Arak Medical University announced the number of Omicron infected COVID-19 cases in Markazi province has increased to 13. Dr. Alimohammadi urged people to receive their 3rd dose of vaccination as soon as possible. 14 children are admitted in AmirKabir hospital in Arak, suspected of COVID-19. Fars reported increasing number of hospitalizations. Qazvin announced 2 new Omicron cases in the province, warning of its fast spread. Additional cases are confirmed in Khuzestan too. Deputy Head of Shahr-e-Kurd University warned against “assuming everything is normal” and called this one of the biggest surprises the Omicron has in store! Dr. Jazayeri sounded the alarm louder than before, saying “Omicron has the ability to shock us all with explosive spread.”
On the other hand, despite all the warnings and health experts calling on the government to postpone reopening of schools and universities for the new semester in the next 2 weeks, Islamic Republic insists on holding in-person classes! Students are mandated to attend final exams in person as well. Interior Minister makes it clear that the regime would not be imposing any new restrictions: “We’re trying not to impose any new COVID-19 restriction in the country,” Ahmad Vahidi said.
Discrepancies in vaccines imported and “manufactured” domestically continues to be baffle observers. Razi Institute announced they have “produced” 10million doses of COVPars and the Ministry of Health has promised to purchase half of it, but that has not happened yet! However, the Ministry has already counted those numbers as part of their stockpile and reports!
According to official data, since February 9, only 10,675,339 (12.70% of Iran population) have received 3 doses of these vaccines. 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.
The Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 37 have died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours and 1,932 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 317,000 have died of the disease since February 2020. Graphs illustrate the ongoing crisis in Iran and forming of the new wave.
R0: 1.48
Total: 6,208,337 (+1,932)
Dead: 131,915 (+37)
Recovered: 6,053,241
Critical: 1,692 (-83)
Active Cases: 23,181 (+466)
Total Tests: 42,908,102
Cover: Azam Dadashi
