Omicron keeps on raging across Iran. Provinces report increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Khuzestan recorded 208% jump in cases and 204% in hospitalizations from last week. Ahvaz Medical University announced Razi hospital is full and new hospitals must begin accepting patients. Dr. Sarmast asked all hospitals to be on high alert to fight the 6th wave. Officials admit less people are interested in vaccines used in Iran. South Khorasan officials say 320% rise in the past 2 weeks.
Head of Shiraz Medical University reported more than 3,000 outpatients in Fars in the past 72 hours. 497 have been admitted to hospitals in the province. Markazi authorities record more children being admitted to hospitals. Head of Arak Medical University urged government to impose restrictions to prevent overloaded hospitals close to Persian New Year. Dr. Jamalian also warned that holding “Islamic Revolution Anniversary gatherings need to be restrictive.” Kerman Governor forewarned the peak of cases will reach in the province in the next 7-10 days.
However, Islamic Propaganda Organization announced they are ready to hold the ceremonies if the National COVID-19 Task Force allows it! Meanwhile, “Fajr Film Festival” is held during the 10-day “anniversary” despite all warnings. Schools and universities are to have their classes in-person, even though experts advise against it. And the “international tourism and handcrafts exhibition” is running in Tehran for 3 days from today.
According to official definition of “full vaccination” and Ministry of Health data, since February 9, only 16,441,981 (19.57% of Iran population) are vaccinated against COVID-19 with 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 24 have died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours and 11,731 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: 1.62
Total: 6,322,183 (+11,731)
Dead: 132,380 (+24)
Recovered: 6,098,675
Critical: 1,362 (+39)
Active Cases: 91,128 (+8,446)
Total Tests: 44,607,091
Cover: Rasoul Shojaei