Corona in Iran; Darkest Day in the History of Behesht-e Zahra and Proposal to Extend Nationwide Lockdown

According to Iran’s Ministry of Health statistics, from the 31st of Farvardin to the 1st of Ordibehesht, 388 more people died as a result of coronavirus infection.

Additionally, 24,886 new patients have been identified in the country.

Many doubt the accuracy of official statistics, and even the Islamic Consultative Assembly’s research center announced that the actual number of infections and deaths is several times higher than the official figures. Iran’s Medical System Organization, based on field studies, has predicted that the actual number of victims is at least three times the reported figures.

Failure to implement restrictions, slow vaccination progress, and the spread of a more contagious strain of coronavirus in the country are among the reasons for the fourth wave of corona in Iran.

Sima Sadat Lari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, referring to the fact that the only mutated virus observed is the strain first found in Britain, said that the responsibility for preventing new strains of coronavirus from entering the country lies with “relevant authorities and organizations.”

Darkest Day in the Fifty-Year History of Behesht-e Zahra

Saeed Khaal, CEO of Behesht-e Zahra Organization, said that 147 coronavirus victims were buried there. He said that in addition to this daily count, 200 ordinary deceased are also buried in this cemetery.

The CEO of Behesht-e Zahra Organization called the 31st of Farvardin of the year 1400 “one of the most difficult and darkest days in the 50-year history of Behesht-e Zahra.”

Health officials have repeatedly warned about hospitals and morgues reaching capacity in the coming weeks.

Hossein Kermanpour, head of public relations for Iran’s Medical System Organization, says that since hospital morgues are not designed for epidemic times, with the continuation of current conditions, they will likely not be able to handle the number of deaths.

Nationwide Lockdown; From Words to Action

Minoo Mohraz, member of the scientific committee of the National Headquarters for Combating Corona, said that if the government and Ministry of Health intend to control the disease, they must implement a nationwide lockdown for one week, otherwise the disease cannot be contained.

Ms. Mohraz said: “Almost nowhere is closed and everyone travels using public transportation.”

According to Alireza Zali, commander of the Corona Management Operations Center, on some days more than 600 or 700 thousand people use the metro. He had previously said: “What we see at the city level is not a lockdown and we are playing with words.”

Mr. Zali, referring to the continued upward trend in the number of infected and deaths from corona, said: “We have no choice but to empty cities, including Tehran.”

Currently, 301 cities in the country are in red (very high risk) status and 95 cities are in orange (high risk) status.

Source: Voice of America