Despite his previous comments about “controlling the fourth wave of coronavirus” and “not being worried about the Indian variant,” Islamic Republic Health Minister expressed his concern about spread of Indian strain of the virus in Iran, warning border provinces to take extra precautions! In the meantime, Ministry of Health Spokesperson admits Tehran is in an extremely fragile situation and could turn “red” at any moment! Sima Sadat Lari claimed COVID-19 hospitalizations in the capital is very slow. She also promised that all college students will be vaccinated by September 22, so the new school year could be in-person!
On the other hand, Chairman of Tehran Corona Combating Committee reported increasing number of outpatients and hospitalization of 1,200 in the past 24 hours. He added, 6,992 are currently at hospitals across Tehran province with 1,500 in ICUs. Dr. Zali emphasized controlling the virus is still far away. Shiraz Medical University reiterated COVID-19 is not even close to an end in Iran. According to their report, 29% PCR tests have turned positive in Fars province since the pandemic began 15 months ago.
Mashhad Medical University official stated 812 COVID-19 patients are treated at home at the moment, otherwise there were not enough beds to admit them all! Dr. Badiei reported 2,900 hospitalized COVID-19 cases in hospitals under the university’s purview. At the same time, Dr Qolyan from the university reported increasing number of admissions to ICUs! He said this might continue until next week. Khuzestan officials recorded the same trend and warn they might face shortage of remdesivir.
On the vaccination front, the Islamic Republic officials continue their empty promises. Saeed Khatibzadeh, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, promised importing of 60 million doses of Russian Sputnik V to Iran, starting from early June. Meanwhile, Iran International reported the company involved with importing these 60 million doses is run by Nahaleh Naraghi, who is a close contact of Saeed Namaki. According to the report, Namaki has used his position to give Actoverco Biotech the exclusive right for this huge transaction.
Despite Namaki’s promise to keep increasing daily vaccination, the rate has decreased. According to the Ministry’s official data, since February 9, only 388,821 (0.46% of population) have been fully vaccinated while 2,420,983 doses have been administered. In the past 24 hours 151,230 doses were used while it was more than 161,000 the day before. Namaki had promised to increase the capacity to 300,000/day by next week. Meanwhile, Khuzestan officials announced they are out of vaccines and waiting for more!
Today was the first day of in-person students final exams across Iran. Students have expressed their objection over the mandatory in-person exams amid COVID-19 rampage by holding protests in the past few weeks. However, Ministry of Health and National Task Force had promised to only have small number of students in each class with no gathering permitted before or after. However, social media posts by students tell a different story. They have started trending a hashtag to cancel the exams, contact “representatives,” and other officials at Education Ministry but have been turned down.
Sima Sadat Lari claimed 286 died of COVID-19 in Iran in the past 24 hours while 14,319 tested positive for the novel coronavirus, another increase from the day before, as seen on the graphs. Daily PCR tests decrease again and positivity rate increases to 10.79% from 8.27% the day before! Iran Medical Board officials dismiss Ministry’s figures, and estimate the real numbers are at least 3 times higher than what is reported every day. The Ministry of Health Spokesperson refuses to provide specific variant cases.
R0: 3.55
Total: 2,765,485 (+14,319)
Dead: 77,222 (+286)
Recovered: 2,242,023
Critical: 5,264 (-73)
Active Cases: 446,240 (-1,868)
Tests: 18,151,487 (21.6% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Farzad Menati
