COVID-19 remains as one of the main causes of deaths in Iran. As the world is controlling the novel coronavirus by widespread vaccinations, it continues to spread through the country. The new UK variant is becoming dominant, especially in Khuzestan where the flood of patients is out of control. According to Ahvaz Medical University officials, shortage of healthcare staff, especially nurses, is overwhelming, forcing them to send a letter to Ministry of Health requesting help. The new British variant has reached all other provinces, sounding alarms for health authorities.
Kohgiloyeh-Boyerahmad reports 2 deaths caused by the English version of coronavirus, warning a new wave is coming to the province. Hormozgan is reaching a new peak, with UK variant circulating in all cities of the province. The officials announced a 31-year-old who was reported dead in Qeshm Island caused by the Wuhan coronavirus, is found to have been infected by the UK variant. 20 infections with the British variant has made authorities worried. Head of Bandar Abbas Health Network reported a steep uptrend of COVID-19 patients compared to the week before, warning a “storm is coming to Bandar Abbas.”
Shahroud officials recorded their first case of the UK variant, sounding the alarm for a wave of patients. Shiraz Medical University asserted almost full capacity in one of its referral hospitals due to the influx of COVID-19 cases. Mazandaran officials announced travel ban to the province for non-residents once again, saying the decline in cases in the area should not fool people.
In the meantime, Head of Tehran Corona Combating Committee expressed his concern over increasing number of cases by returning travelers to the capital in the second week of April, predicting another surge in cases. Dr. Zali criticized the government for not supporting the poor during the coronavirus epidemic, admitting some people still cannot afford to buy a mask! He also rebuked the contradictions in officials’ statements about reopenings and said “the Persian New Year Holidays are here but we still don’t have a clear guideline about traveling and restrictions.” He floated the idea of “Iranian Virus” once again, and suggested the “coloring” of counties must be changed based on the new UK variant.
Persian New Year has become a major problem for the theocratic regime, while it has allowed crowded religious gatherings throughout the year despite COVID-19 surges. Moreover, officials have already started planning for Arbain (Arba’een), on September 27, 2021! Some of the top clerics gathered in Islamic Republic embassy in Baghdad to plan for the “rituals.”
Ministry of Health continues to present daily manipulated figures even though they have been scrutinized by Iran Medical Board officials, admitting the real numbers are at least 3-4 times higher. The Spokesperson announced 61 COVID-19 deaths in Iran in the past 24 hours while 8,603 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Daily PCR testing remains in 64,000 range. Critical and active cases continue to rise as seen on graphs.
R0: 3.98
Total: 1,715,162 (+8,603)
Dead: 60,928 (+61)
Recovered: 1,464,268
Critical: 3,823 (+12)
Admitted: 189,966 (+1,033)
Tests: 11,467,053 (13.8% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Amin Nazari
