Tehran Governor expresses his worry over increasing number of COVID-19 patients among “under 10-year-olds.” Bandpey said prior to last month, this category only comprised 2-3% of patients, it reached 7-8% last month and it has surpassed 11% in recent days. The Governor added, ICU admissions increased 4.7% while hospitalizations rose by 17% last week compared to the week before. Head of Tehran Corona Combating Committee reiterated minors infections have increased, saying the new UK variant of coronavirus is found in all provinces of Iran which is very dangerous. Dr. Zali added the mutated version is extremely fast-spreading and deadly, compared to the Wuhan variant. He continued as Persian New Year approaches following protocols reduces among Tehran residents. Zali said many travel to the capital during holidays which is a big risk. He warned about traveling and a new wave in late March, early April due to holiday trips.
Khuzestan continues to be in a devastating situation, with hospitals at almost full capacity. Behbahan Medical College official warns people to follow protocols because Khuzestan hospitals are not equipped to manage flood of COVID-19 patients. Dr. Ghanbaran from Imam Hospital of Ahvaz said all Khuzestan resources are being used and if the situation remains the same, help and staff from other provinces will be necessary. Crowded ER in Razi Hospital in Ahvaz has become a major concern for health authorities in the city. Dr Soltani said the increasing number of patients and their companions have made the ERs a petri dish of coronavirus.
Kermanshah Medical University officials sound the alarm for a wave of UK variant in the province. Dr. Moradi said if that happens, the healthcare system’s resources are limited. Bushehr officials warn about the next wave of COVID-19 patients, with new UK variant circulating and warmer weather in the province. Hormozgan authorities announced 15 passengers of 2 ships coming in from UAE tested positive for coronavirus and are home quarantined in Fars and Hormozgan. The Medical University Spokesman said all passengers had “negative test results” before embarking the ships or claimed they had tested negative in UAE. Meanwhile, Hamid Souri, an epidemiologist and a member of National Task Force, admitted the high rate of rapid tests’ false negative results used are one of the reasons travelers break quarantines and spread the virus across the country. The same tests are used at borders. It’s worth noting IranTrue touched on this topic yesterday.
Crowded markets and long lines outside bakeries or warehouses to have a chance at buying cooking oil, chicken, bread,… at subsidized rate is one of the major reasons for unleashed coronavirus in Iran. People are struggling with poverty and do not have any other choice to survive.
Sima Sadat Lari announced the daily manipulated figures, even though officials have admitted the real numbers are at least 3-4 times higher. The Ministry of Health Spokesperson reported 99 COVID-19 deaths in Iran in the past 24 hours while 8,313 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. As seen on graphs, that is an increase from yesterday. Daily PCR tests reached 61,000 for the first time in 13 months since the epidemic began. Critical and active cases continue to rise.
R0: 4.00
Total: 1,698,005 (+8,313)
Dead: 60,786 (+99)
Recovered: 1,449,350
Critical: 3,804 (+9)
Admitted: 187,869 (+1,062)
Tests: 11,337,942 (13.6% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Seyed Hamed Mousavi
