Omicron rages through Iran while Islamic Republic reduces daily tests and insists on reopening schools and universities. All travel restrictions from neighboring countries are lifted and religious gatherings, such as Friday Prayers are held as nothing is wrong. Health experts continue warning about the next wave of COVID-19 as Omicron finds its way throughout communities. Air pollution has become an additional problem for patients and all age groups but Islamic Republic continues to burn Mazut!
Slow vaccination and the mistrust between the people and regime decision has reached a new high. Zahraei, head of Disease Prevention Center at the Ministry of Health says more than 7 million Iranians have not received any vaccine. Deputy Health Minister had previously admitted people’s not trusting the shots used in Iran as one of the major reasons for low vaccination. However, Islamic Republic just approved another unproven vaccine, Spikogen, to be used as 3rd dose in the country.
According to official data, since February 9, only 11,745,289 (13.98% 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. It is worth mentioning, Khamenei banned US and UK made vaccines in January to promote his own foundation’s COVIran Barekat.
The Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 30 have died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours and 2,394 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: 6,214,781 (+2,394)
Dead: 132,002 (+30)
Recovered: 6,058,586
Critical: 1,462 (-71)
Active Cases: 24,193 (+411)
Total Tests: 43,156,119
