At least 811,000 Iranians will contract coronavirus by end of Ordibehesht
Based on a report prepared by the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiological Analysis Working Group, given the level of quarantine and isolation measures, between 811,000 and 1 million 160,000 Iranians will contract the coronavirus by the end of Ordibehesht this year.
According to this report, whose findings were published in the Shargh newspaper, the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiological Analysis Working Group concluded that in the absence of an effective drug or vaccine, ultimately approximately 63 percent of Iranians will contract the coronavirus.
This working group, which conducted its studies with the assistance of Iran’s medical and non-medical universities, considered three scenarios based on the level of quarantine. The best-case scenario, which has also been approved by the coronavirus management task force, is that if the level of isolation—preventing contact between infected individuals and suspected cases—reaches 40 percent, the total number of infected people by the end of Ordibehesht in the country will be 811,000 and in Tehran 159,000. In this case, the number of deaths would be approximately 6,030.
A worse scenario is that if the isolation level reaches 25 percent, the total number of infected people in the country by the end of Ordibehesht this year will be 1 million 160,000 and in Tehran 245,000. In this case, the total number of deaths would be 13,450.
Considering the best-case scenario for Iran comes at a time when Iranian officials have refrained from implementing mandatory quarantine (as done in some countries), and citizens in some cities have ignored experts’ recommendations by taking group trips or participating in group events such as funeral processions.
The widespread outbreak of coronavirus in Iran has now become a crisis that, on one hand, raises concerns about underreporting of actual figures, and on the other hand, has been complicated by mismanagement. Additionally, insufficient medical equipment and even lack of standard infrastructure have caused the treatment process in Iran to face problems. Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, previously stated that he had formally offered assistance to Iran and hopes Iran will accept it.
Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, on Monday, Farvardin 4, issued a statement titled “Khamenei’s Lies About the Wuhan Virus Endanger Lives” in which he expressed remarks about the Iranian regime’s deception and cover-ups regarding the coronavirus.
In Mr. Pompeo’s statement: “Khamenei’s lies, the leader [of the Islamic Republic], about the Wuhan virus are dangerous and put Iranians and people around the world at greater risk. Facts matter.”
Source: Voice of America
