Islamic Republic Health Minister confirmed 5 South African coronavirus variant infections in Hormozgan while there are more than 35 suspected cases. Saeed Namaki also confirmed 10 cases with “Indian-Californian” variant in West Azerbaijan. He announced 3 Indian patients with the Indian variants in Qom as well. At the same time, he praised himself for “commanding” the healthcare system to pass the fourth wave of COVID-19 which according to him brought in up to 10 times more patients than previous waves. He added, Eid Fitr gatherings could be the new place for transmission of new variants. He warned the current 50-60% compliance with health protocols is not a good situation because the healthcare system will not be able to tolerate the next wave. Saeed Namaki is the one who allowed Qadr nights and Eid Fitr gatherings himself, before Ramadan began. Last night’s gatherings across the country were crowded and held with maskless people!
Dr. Masoud Mardani reiterated that even though there is no increase in coronavirus cases but hospitalizations of new COVID-19 cases remain high. National Task Force member continued, ICU beds are filled with critical patients. He added until the majority are vaccinated, any gathering could lead to new cluster of patients and waves. While he warned the dangers of students gathering to protest the in-person exams during pandemic, he failed to mention students using public transportation to reach venues will be a cause for concern more than the under ventilated venues. Meanwhile, students continue their protests across the country. It is worth noting, last year’s Konkour led to new infection clusters.
Meanwhile, Islamic Republic officials, including Hassan Rouhani at the top, continue their lies and empty promises about COVID-19 vaccinations. The regime’s President claimed by July 22, all vulnerable people (about 40million) will be vaccinated in Iran. Rouhani asserted millions of doses will be imported in the coming months! At the same time, he admits the Central Bank of Islamic Republic has difficulty providing the needed funds for purchases. Rouhani also says private companies must be allowed to import vaccines, while immediately contradicting himself that most vaccines are purchased by governments and not private companies.
Since February 9, Islamic Republic Ministry of Health has only administered 1,350,290 shots and only 234,568 (0.27% of population) have been fully vaccinated. President of Iran Medical University said Tehran alone needs 20million doses of vaccines. Dr. Kouhpayehzadeh admitted his university is only able to administer about 5,000 doses a day. If Rouhani’s claim were even remotely possible, more than 1million doses a day must have been administered from today. Mostafa Seraj, Director General of Welfare Organization Care Centers, reiterated his previous point saying it takes 70 days to vaccinate the more than half a million population under his care.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson claimed 349 died of COVID-19 in Iran in the past 24 hours while 15,872 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Iran Medical Board officials admitted the real numbers are at least 3 times higher than the daily reports. Sima Sadat Lari has not been providing any sequencing information about the variants of cases. Critical cases continue to increase, as seen on the graphs.
R0: 3.77
Total: 2,591,609 (+15,872)
Dead: 73,568 (+349)
Recovered: 2,039,427
Critical: 5,499 (+22)
Active Cases: 478,614 (-1,318)
Tests: 16,511,987 (19.6% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Mohammad Khodabakhsh
