Finally an official admits the Ministry of Health’s stats are not real numbers of COVID-19 cases in Iran! Dr Masoud Mardani, an infectious disease specialist and a member of the National Task Force, said the numbers are much higher than that. “Ministry only reports the PCR tests which are only taken on small part of the population. Many can’t afford to get the test done.” He added in most cases CT scans and clinical signs and symptoms suffice to diagnose COVID-19 but those patients are not counted towards the “official” stats. He also said PCR test has more than 30-40% false negative results!
Dr Payam Tabarsi, head of Infectious disease ward in Masih Daneshvari hospital in Tehran, reiterated his previous statements, “We don’t have beds for daily admissions and have to turn some patients back.” He said the same situation applies to almost all 105 hospitals in Tehran which accept COVID-19 patients. Head of ICU in another hospital in Tehran confirmed the human catastrophe going on in the capital. “Number of admissions is more than discharges, putting pressure on hospitals’ resources.” The same has been reported by all hospitals across the country.
On the other hand, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, “Parliament Speaker”, starred in a public show and “suddenly showed up” at “Imam Khomeini Hospital” in Tehran to see the situation closely and speak to healthcare staff! While it was all for cameras, nurses didn’t shy away and told him about shortage of equipment, beds and unpaid benefits for months! He promised to bring up the topic tomorrow, at the meeting of “Heads of government branches.” Few hours later, Islamic Republic President, Hassan Rouhani, canceled the meeting and said he wouldn’t be attending!
Dr Zali, head of Tehran Corona Combating Committee, continued his criticism of the inaction or inefficient restrictions by the government saying, “1 week lockdown, considering the incubation period to be 2 weeks, is not enough and has no use.” He continued, “even then these restrictions are not being enforced.” He added, “Tehran is in beyond red or critical situation.” Reports show that all coffeeshops, beauty salons,… were open across Tehran despite the lockdown order. The shop owners would say they have no choice because they won’t be able to make ends meet if they close down. It’s worth noting, the government hasn’t had offered any stimulus package to people since epidemic began more than 230 days ago!
While even based on manipulated and undercounted data by Ministry of Health daily cases and death toll have broken records, Rouhani is happy about how the disease is being “controlled” and slams at government’s achievements in his 2 terms saying, “We’re ready to debate with numbers with whomever thinking we haven’t done enough!”
Sima Sadat Lari announced 3,902 new cases of COVID-19 and 235 deaths in the past 24 hours, 30 provinces in critical condition and active cases skyrocketing! Testing remains at the same range and one of the lowest per capita in the world. Increasing active and critical cases could only mean record breaking death tolls in the upcoming days. More than 7 months have passed and still not a single proper plan to contain the virus! Muharram gatherings, premature reopenings and in-person schools attendance are showing their effects, healthcare system is collapsed and non-COVID patients are in danger too but Islamic Republic wants to hold Arbain gatherings on Friday, October 9!
Basic Reproduction Rate (R0) increased another 2 points again, while graphs keep pointing to a grim future for Iranians.
R0: 1.67
Total: 475,674 (+3,902)
Dead: 27,192 (+235)
Healed: 392,293
Critical: 4,167 (+13)
Admitted: 56,189 (+1,340)
Tests: 4,151,445 (5.0% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Tahereh Babaei
