Delta variant broke daily coronavirus infections record in Iran, despite continuous decline in number of daily PCR tests. Hospitals have become filled with COVID-19 patients, even field hospitals are not enough and patients have to lie on the ground outdoors! Meanwhile, Islamic Republic officials continue their inaction and mismanagement of the crisis. Even though Tehran and Alborz are supposed to be on lockdown, roads are crammed with cars while metro stations are filled with people.
In addition to Tehran, Kerman, Sistan-Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr, northern provinces have reached a critical point. Gilan hospitalized 158 patients in 24 hours while outpatients are on a steep rise. Mazandaran and Golestan are experiencing full hospitals too, especially with the travelers going to vacation there! Fars officials reported 361 COVID-19 patients were admitted in the past 24 hours and warn about the spike in cases due to Delta variant. Deputy Head of Mashhad Medical University announced 70% increase in COVID-19 cases in the second biggest city in Iran, warning if this path continues “hospitals cannot meet demands and we’ll reach the dead end!”
While health experts believe the fifth wave in Iran, dominated by the Delta variant, is worse than previous outbreaks and restrictions must be enforced vigorously, Islamic Republic Health Minister excuses his shortcomings in poor, chaotic and slow vaccination process by saying, “Ministry of Health is not responsible for providing vaccines!” At the same time, his deputy, Dr. Iraj Harirchi, on national TV admitted to their empty promises and apologized to the people for “not delivering on vaccination promises!”
Official data indicate since February 9 total of 9,242,613 shots have been administered across the country and only 2,314,998 (2.75% of Iran population) are fully vaccinated. Breakthrough cases are rampant, since the vaccines used in Iran are ineffective against the wild Delta.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 250 died of COVID-19 and 27,444 tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours in Iran. There is no analysis of the strains circulating in the country and no specific data shared by the Ministry. Iran Medical Board officials believe the real numbers are at least 3 times higher than the daily reports. As seen on the graphs, active and critical cases soar through the roof. The positivity rate broke the records too, by reaching 37.99% nationally.
R0: 2.88
Total: 3,576,148 (+27,444)
Dead: 87,624 (+250)
Recovered: 3,168,834
Critical: 4,422 (+61)
Active Cases: 319,690 (+11,013)
Tests: 25,190,457 (29.9% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
