Coronavirus crisis: "One-third" of Iranian students have lost family members

The Director General of the Student Affairs Organization's Counseling and Health Office says that one-third of students have lost "some of their family members" during the coronavirus pandemic.

Majid Safarinia continued on Tuesday, September 20, saying that this data is the result of a survey of 19,000 students.

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

According to the latest official statistics from the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, the number of students in the country in 2019 was about 3.4 million, and Safarinia's statements, if accurate and true, indicate that the actual number of deaths in Iran from Corona is much higher than the official figures.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health show the number of deaths from the coronavirus at less than 118,000, but the official statistics announced by the ministry are questioned by a number of Iranian health officials, who have said that the number of infected and dead is at least twice this official figure.

Mr. Safarinia continued by saying that in order to reopen universities, the health protocols of educational environments must be reviewed by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, and the conditions for attending classes, dormitories, sports halls, and restaurants must be specified.

He continued by saying that vaccinating 70% of the population and reviewing existing health protocols is a necessity.

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

Source: Radio Farda