Coronavirus Crisis: One-Third of Iran’s Students Have Lost Family Members

The director general of the advisory and health office at the Organization of Student Affairs says one-third of students during the coronavirus pandemic have lost “several family members.”

Majid Safarinya said on Tuesday, September 21, that these figures are the result of a survey of 19,000 students.

According to him, limited and gradual reopening of universities is on the agenda of the Ministry of Science.

Based on the latest official statistics from the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, the number of students in the country in 2019 was approximately 3.4 million, and Safarinya’s statements, if accurate and precise, suggest that the actual death toll from coronavirus in Iran is far higher than official figures.

The Health Ministry’s statistics show the number of deaths from coronavirus at less than 118,000, but the official figures announced by this ministry have been questioned by some Iranian health officials, and in this regard, it has been stated that the number of cases and deaths is at least double these official figures.

Mr. Safarinya further stated that for the reopening of universities, the health protocols of educational environments must be reviewed by the Ministry of Health and Treatment, and conditions for attendance in classrooms, dormitories, sports halls and restaurants must be specified.

He further stated that vaccinating 70 percent of the population and reviewing existing health guidelines is a necessity.

So far, less than 17 percent of Iran’s population has received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Source: Radio Farda