COVID-19 Tests of 20 Parliament Members Test Positive; Public Criticizes Lack of Access to Coronavirus Testing

Mehr News Agency reported that coronavirus tests of at least 20 members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly have tested positive.

The news agency reported on Sunday, March 1st, that the coronavirus tests of Massoumeh Agha Pour Alamshah, representative of Shabestar in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Ghasem Mirzayee Neko, representative of Damavand and one of the representatives of Tabriz, Ahar and Asku in parliament tested positive.

Previously, Mahmoud Sadeghi and Mojtaba Zolnouri were among the representatives whose test results had earlier tested positive.

Are tests only for officials?

The public is critical of the medical and coronavirus testing situation in Iran. They say officials have access to tests, but ordinary people do not have this opportunity.

A Twitter user wrote: “Five thousand coronavirus detection kits were imported so that officials, their families and their entourage can test three times three times, but ordinary people should die waiting in line for a test.”

Another user wrote: “How are these officials getting coronavirus tests that quickly turn positive and negative? Did they import those kits only for officials?”

Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, said Friday, February 28th in a statement: The United States stands with the Iranian people during the public health crisis caused by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The U.S. government is ready to assist the Iranian people in their relief efforts. This offer of support for the Iranian people, which has been formally communicated to Iran through the Swiss government, underscores our continued commitment to addressing health crises and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Mike Pompeo also said Friday, February 28th in a meeting in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, given the history of cover-up by Islamic Republic officials, the Iranian regime is unwilling to inform about the spread of coronavirus, and I am concerned that they may be hiding important information.

This is the second time the U.S. Secretary of State has expressed concern about a possible cover-up by Iranian officials. Mike Pompeo had warned on Tuesday that America is concerned about a cover-up by Islamic Republic officials regarding the spread of coronavirus.

The United States announced Thursday that it has issued exemptions from Iran sanctions and allows the Central Bank of Iran to conduct financial transfers to send certain humanitarian services.

Coronavirus has so far caused at least 34 deaths in Iran. Reuters, in releasing unofficial figures, reported that more than 210 people in Iran have died from coronavirus.

Public opinion in Iran is concerned about a cover-up by Iranian officials. The first death from coronavirus was reported on March 1st, even though prior to that, officials had denied any cases of coronavirus in Iran.

In past years, there has been a history of Islamic Republic officials, in cases such as acid attacks in Isfahan, instead of pursuing and dealing with those responsible, arresting and imprisoning those who reported on this incident.

Source: Voice of America