Ministry of Health released the new “coloring” of Iran map indicating “high risk” areas with “red and orange.” Most red cities have been downgraded to orange, orange ones to yellow and there is no blue city left since Sistan-Baluchestan and Kerman areas show increasing infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations. 30 new cities joined the “red” roster. With merchants defying restrictions due to difficult economic situation, Islamic Republic officials have decided to change the colors and relax restrictions despite threats of Indian and South African coronavirus variants which have been found in Hormozgan and Bushehr. Khuzestan officials admit the situation is extremely fragile.
On the other hand, healthcare staff remain under excruciating pressure, which has manifested in medical residents and their “chain deaths” reports. According to officials, the frequent and back to back deaths of medical residents across the country have raised many alarms but no action has been taken. Iran Medical Board Spokesman claims there is no proof to rule them as “suicide” but admits there has been unimaginable pressure on medical staff with long shifts, being unappreciated and paid lower than some laborers, if paid on time! The officials have refused to provide more details.
Islamic Republic officials continue their empty promises and lies about COVID-19 vaccination in Iran. FDA Spokesman claims the vaccination of people aged 80+ is almost completed, while only 231,503 have been fully vaccinated across the country, including healthcare professionals, since February 9. That is 0.27% of the population. So far, only 1,314,641 shots have been administered. Dr. Jahanpur also asserted the domestic manufacturing of Russian Sputnik V will begin in the next 2 months. The process was supposed to begin by March 20.
While officials claim the second phase of “National Vaccination Guideline” is almost finished, the Tehran Fire Department Spokesman revealed the firemen have not been given any priority to receive COVID-19 shot. Maleki reported 2 employees of Tehran FD died of COVID-19 past week, and more than 1,300 have contracted the novel coronavirus in the past 15 months.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 344 died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in Iran while 20,150 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The Ministry refuses to give any specific detail about the strain or individual province statistics. Iran Medical Board officials have admitted the daily reported numbers are at least 3 times lower than the reality in hospitals. Active and critical cases continue to rise, as seen on the graphs.
R0: 3.80
Total: 2,575,737 (+20,150)
Dead: 73,219 (+344)
Recovered: 2,022,586
Critical: 5,477 (+16)
Active Cases: 479,932 (+2,169)
Tests: 16,379,357 (19.5% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Mina Noei
