Islamic Republic President admitted COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Iran and blamed it on the “elections”, especially the local ones, and the travels during holidays. Rouhani also confessed that Ramadan and Eid Fitr gatherings have played a role in ongoing coronavirus crisis in Iran. He said all restrictions in “red and orange” counties must be implemented or the situation “will be as we see it,” resigning from all responsibilities and waiting for people to take action!
National COVID-19 Task Force Spokesman confirmed the Delta variant is unleashed and has involved all areas of the country. Dr. Raisi named a few provinces with only a few “red” cities and warned them if protocols are not enforced, their entire provinces will become red soon. In another late action, he requested the eastern borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan to be sealed off and controlled better! Raisi also claimed “special helps” have been made to Sistan-Baluchestan, meaning some oxygen generators have been sent.
However, the province has been dealing with the fifth wave for more than 2 weeks and has been neglected by the regime officials. According to local reports, the very few hospitals in the province are filled with COVID-19 patients and death toll is on the rise. Shortage of equipment and healthcare staff remain one of the main issues. Local authorities have closed off streets with bulldozers and buses, preventing people from outgoings. A representative of the province at the Islamic Consultative Assembly called the COVID-19 situation in Sistan-Baluchestan “beyond red” and in need of immediate and more attention.
Other provinces are on the same boat. Gilan Governor warned about “color change” in several cities in the province, calling it a red alarm for the fifth wave. Khorasan Razavi Governor confirmed Delta (Indian) variant is circulating in the province and predicted the entire region would turn “red” soon. Golstan authorities admit the fifth wave has reached their province, dominated with the Delta variant.
Khuzestan Governor expressed his concern about the possibility of the fifth wave and stated the province would be unable to handle another wave, because healthcare staff are exhausted, many have passed away or contracted the virus. Meanwhile, Head of Western Ahvaz Health Network announced a slow uptick in cases in the capital of Khuzestan. Head of Arak Medical University said, “this is not an alarm anymore, this is the fifth wave.” Hormozgan reported 40% increase in ICU admissions, 10% rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations and 7% spike in number of positive tests, in the past week. Dr. Tabarsi, head of Infectious-disease ward at Masih Daneshvari hospital in Tehran confirms fifth wave has begun in the capital and rebukes the government for missing an opportunity in vaccinating 60+ age group last month!
On the vaccination front, Islamic Republic continues its abysmal performance. An official at the Ministry of Health claimed 320,000 doses of COVIran Barekat has been distributed across the country, and 40,000 more will be delivered tomorrow. Dr. Mohammadi, deputy head of FDA, added that about 3million doses will be imported in the “next few days” and promised by July 22 the vaccination process will speed up. In the interview, he did not provide any specifics on the source of vaccines or any date. Our World in Data shows that even Lebanon and Pakistan are ahead of Iran in their daily vaccination administrations! US has also donated millions of doses to Bangladesh and other developing countries but Iran could not be a receipient, because Khamenei has banned US and UK made vaccines for Iranians!
According to official data, since February 9, total of 6,324,707 shots have been administered and only 1,871,268 (2.22% of the population) received both jabs to become fully vaccinated.
Despite daily reports of the Ministry of Health Spokesperson being criticized since day one and even Iran Medical Board officials admitting the real numbers ae at least 3 times higher, Sima Sadat Lari claimed 111 died of COVID-19 in Iran in the past 24 hours and 8,341 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. She refused to mention any specifics about the variants. As seen on the graphs, daily PCR tests are on a constant decline while critical cases rise.
R0: 2.82
Total: 3,241,037 (+8,341)
Dead: 84,627 (+111)
Recovered: 2,914,830
Critical: 3,207 (+11)
Active Cases: 241,580 (-4,460)
Tests: 23,888,861 (28.4% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
