After encouraging invitation by religious leaders to hold crowded gatherings for “Imam Zaman birthday”, people got together in Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, “Imam Reza” shrine in Mashhad, Tehran and other cities around Iran, praying and eating in public! Islamic Republic has been adamant in holding religious gatherings and Friday Prayers despite all warning from Ministry of Health and experts about spread of coronavirus in crowds.
Tehran has been upgraded to “orange” status indicating “high risk for coronavirus,” however, museums will stay open! Deputy Health Minister Harirchi announced new “restrictions” for the capital, but not museums. That’s an invitation for people to come to Tehran or go visit the museums! Harirchi also said about 30% of Iran population are in the 67 orange and red cities. Qazvin with the same status announced closing of its tourist attractions.
Secretary of Iran Medical Supreme Council admitted the abysmal record of Islamic Republic in vaccinating the population, saying it’s started late and it is going too slow! Moslehi demanded the officials to speed up the process. On the other hand, Iran Medical Board and Ministry of Health agreed that Medical Board be responsible for vaccinating the registered healthcare staff! In addition to hospitals and clinics affiliated with medical universities, about 60,000 healthcare workers in private sector are also waiting for their shots! Zafarghandi, Chairman of Iran Medical Board claimed in the next 2 weeks all healthcare workers will be vaccinated!
According to Ministry of Health graphs provided for each province, the fourth wave has started across the country and it is on the rise in most provinces of Iran. Kohgiloye-Boyerahmad sounded the alarm for “red” status. Yasouj Medical University reported increasing number of cases and hospitalizations, warning the hospitals would be full soon. Dr. Yazdanpanh said about 400 tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours which is a record for the province in the past 13+ months. Kermanshah Governor expressed his concern about “sharp rise” in hospitalizations across the province, warning if this path continues Kermanshah will be critical. Hosseini from Shiraz Medical University said the red alarm has gone off for critical situation in Fars. According to him, positive cases, hospitalizations and ICU patients are on the rise. Hormozgan officials warned about serious dangerous situation in the province, announcing 100% increase in outpatient cases.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson presented her daily manipulated data. Iran Medical Board announced the real numbers are at least 3 times higher that what is reported by the Ministry. Sima Sadat Lari claimed 89 died of COVID-19 in Iran in the past 24 hours while 8,751 tested positive for the coronavirus. That’s the highest daily cases since March 10. 1,049 were admitted in the past 24 hours, highest in 3 months. Testing remains in the same range while positivity rate jumped to 12.79% from 11.92% the day before. Critical and active cases continue to rise as seen on graphs.
R0: 3.75
Total: 1,855,674 (+8,751)
Dead: 62,397 (+89)
Recovered: 1,593,219
Critical: 3,928 (+7)
Admitted: 200,058 (+557)
Tests: 12,618,420 (15.1% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Ahmad Zohrabi
