The fourth wave of coronavirus in Iran is gaining momentum again, despite Islamic Republic officials manipulation of numbers and claiming the virus is “under control.” According to provincial officials, however, COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise in several cities, while Ministry of Health has only designated 8 cities in the country as “red!” Head of Yasouj Medical University reported resurgence of COVID-19 patients and critical cases in Kohgiloyeh-Boyerahmad, warning that protocols are not being followed, asking people to avoid any and all gatherings. Bandar Abbas Governor announced 32 villages and 5 townships are quarantined for a week due to out-of-control coronavirus cases.
Fars officials reiterated a spike in their critical COVID-19 patients demanding all gatherings to be banned. At the same time, religious gatherings such as Friday Prayers are held as usual, even in “orange” cities in Fars and other provinces!
Islamic Republic mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis in the past 16 months is not a secret. Hospital workers at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic have been the victim of this mismanagement more than others. Their long shifts, shortage of staff, low pay and most of the time overdue wages and benefits for months and not being vaccinated are just a few of their problems they have been protesting about since the epidemic started. Another gathering in Tehran by BouAli hospital staff chanting against the management and low pay.
Meanwhile, vaccination remains a mystery in the country. According to official data, since February 9, 3,499,563 shots have been administered with only 493,931 (0.58% of population) receiving both doses of Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Covaxin, AstraZeneca and an unknown vaccine. The specific numbers for each vaccine have not been released from 11 days ago. Islamic Republic officials have banned any news about vaccines being released unless approved by the Ministry of Health, hiding the truth even more.
Lead researcher in COVPars vaccine made by Razi Institute claimed the first phase of clinical trials was successfully finished, and the vaccine showed “80% antibody titer” in interim results of 60 volunteers who received 10mcg shot. Dr. Falah-Mehrabadi asserted the vaccine is among the safest COVID-19 vaccines in the world! He announced beginning of the second phase today, and hoped it would complete within about 2 months. None of the “domestic” vaccines have published detailed results to the public. According to reports, the Cuban Soberana 02, in collaboration with Pasteur Institute, completed their 3rd phase of clinical trials in Iran.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 165 died of COVID-19 in Iran in the past 24 hours and 9,994 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Despite spread of Indian and South African variants in Iran, Sima Sadat Lari does not provide details of variants in her daily manipulated reports. Iran Medical Board estimated the real number of cases and deaths are at least 3 times more than what is reported. As the sham “elections” approaches, despite local reports, the downward arm of the wave gets steeper, as shown on the graphs.
R0: 3.29
Total: 2,875,858 (+9,994)
Dead: 79,384 (+165)
Recovered: 2,396,540
Critical: 4,587 (-112)
Active Cases: 399,934 (-7,572)
Tests: 19,430,249 (23.1% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Mehdi Pedramkhoo
