Despite lack of technology in producing COVID-19 vaccine in Iran, the Health Minister bragged about starting human clinical trials from next week by one of the “startups.” He also said 42 million doses of vaccine are to be pre-ordered! Two days ago, it was 18 million doses. He didn’t mention any more details on how the payment has been made or which company would be providing the coronavirus vaccine.
In the meantime, the “lockdown” plan seems not to be abode by many businesses or people. Banks are filled with customers and so are the hospitals. The reasons for people not following the lockdown rules are many folds. But according to health experts, COVID-19 has become the new norm, on the other hand, its psychological pressure has mounted and its negative impacts have paralyzed the population. This vicious cycle has been going on for more than 9 months.
Tehran Corona Combating Committee reports the COVID-19 situation has not changed in the capital. Other provinces announce record breaking numbers of cases, admissions and deaths.
Sima Sadat Lari presented her daily manipulated undercounted data. She reported 469 deaths in the past 24 hours and the daily cases broken the records again with 13,843 positive tests. Ministry of Health Spokesperson announced the entire country in critical condition.
Testing remains one of the main issues. Today, officials announced distribution of rapid tests and new rules on how they should be used by hospitals. According to an official, they are to be used only on symptomatic patients, which is already the procedure. These tests are supposed to increase the capacity for daily performance to 100,000! However, that number fluctuates every day. There was a decrease from yesterday while the positivity rate has increased by 0.8%.
Critical cases continue to rise on a daily basis. Physicians believe patients go to hospitals when they’re in end stage of the disease making it more difficult for them to be treated. They say the reason is people can’t afford to pay for treatments and tests. However, Saeed Namaki said “there has not been any charge for medicine and tests in the country.” That’s a blatant lie which there have been many reports on high costs of COVID-19 care.
Basic Reproduction Rate (R0) jumped to 3.95 which indicates the devastating crisis in Iran. Graphs depict the ongoing human disaster for more than 9 months.
R0: 3.95
Total: 894,385 (+13,843)
Dead: 46,207 (+469)
Recovered: 625,606
Critical: 5,832 (+8)
Admitted: 222,572 (+5,483)
Tests: 5,913,229 (7.0% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Mohadese Zare
