Corona ‘Near-Surge’ in Iran and Travel Restrictions During Nowruz Days
The commander of Tehran’s coronavirus task force has warned about the spread of mutated coronavirus strains, saying “we are on the brink of forming a national corona near-surge.” The government is seeking to impose travel restrictions related to Nowruz holiday trips.
Alirezа Raisi, spokesman for the National Coronavirus Combating Headquarters, announced on Wednesday (6th of Esfand) the identification of 112 cases of mutated coronavirus in Iran. According to him, 13 new cases of mutated coronavirus have been identified, with five cases in Tehran, seven in Hormozgan, and one in West Azerbaijan. So far, eight people in the country have died from this virus.
The Deputy Minister of Health also referred to evidence of the circulation of mutated coronavirus strains across Iran and said: “If the slightest negligence occurs in observing health protocols, it can spread to any city or province or the entire country and increase the disease rate.”
He emphasized that “difficult days” await people. Alireza Zali, commander of Tehran’s coronavirus task force, also warned: “Today we are on the verge of forming a national corona near-surge, and it is due to the emergence of mutated virus strains.”
Border and Inter-City Traffic Control
Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s President, said on Wednesday in a meeting of heads of the eight committees of the National Coronavirus Combating Headquarters that if “with the formation of a new wave of the disease, the health and livelihoods of people, especially on the eve of the holidays” are affected or harmed, the government will be forced to intensify restrictions.
Referring to the situation in red-zone cities, including Khuzestan, he said: “It was reviewed and decided to intensify the control and management of borders and prevent the passage of passengers from the border with Iraq, and simultaneously increase surveillance over the activities of businesses and control inter-city traffic in Khuzestan Province.”
According to ISNA news agency, in the mentioned meeting, it was also decided that the National Coronavirus Combating Headquarters prepare a unified framework regarding permits for essential inter-city trips and communicate it to the governorates.
Latest Coronavirus Statistics in Iran
According to statistics announced by Sima Sadat Lari, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Health, in the past 24 hours, 1,598,875 people in Iran have been infected with coronavirus and 73 people have died. The total death toll from coronavirus in Iran has reached 59,736 people, and 1,705 patients are in critical condition.
The cities of Abadan, Ahvaz, Bandar Mahshahr, Khorramshahr, Dezful, Dast Azadegan, Ramhormoz, Shadegan, Shushtar, Karun, and Hoveyzeh, along with 11 other cities are in red status. 52 cities are in orange status, 217 cities are in yellow status, and 168 cities are in blue status.
Nowruz Days Could Be Considered a Threat
Despite warnings and the continuous spread of mutated coronavirus strains with much higher transmission capability than the original virus, many in Iran are preparing for Nowruz holiday trips.
Abbas Mousavi, head of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, referring to the arrival of holiday days, said this period “can be considered both an opportunity and a threat for all of us.” He emphasized that “holiday closures do not prevent the spread of disease, and given the prevalence of the British mutated virus in some provinces of the country, it is better that travels do not occur or be minimized.”
According to Mousavi, medical centers in Mazandaran Province had approximately 22,000 hospitalizations of coronavirus patients in the past year. The mortality statistics of this disease in Mazandaran Province have also been very high. He said: “Although we accounted for 2.6 percent above the national average in coronavirus mortality rates, unfortunately 2,400 citizens and sometimes travelers died in hospitals in Mazandaran Province.”
Source: DW
