Death Toll Breaks Records Again, Approaching 500 Per Day
With the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic crisis in Iran, official statistics indicate that the death toll record of patients was broken with 486 deaths in the past 24 hours.
The spokesperson of Iran’s Ministry of Health on Monday, November 16, while announcing the death toll, stated that in the past 24 hours, 13,053 people were infected with COVID-19, and accordingly the total number of infected persons reached 775,121.
Accordingly, and assuming the accuracy of this report, the total death toll since the beginning of the pandemic has reached 41,979 people.
The accuracy of the statistics announced by the Islamic Republic, like those of China and Russia, is highly disputed. Based on available evidence and contradictions observed in the statistics presented by various organizations, it can be said that accurate information is not being provided regarding the actual number of infected and deceased. The World Health Organization and even the Research Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly have stated that the actual rate of infection and death is several times higher than the official statistics in Iran. Some time ago, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Health, eight months after the onset of coronavirus, admitted that the actual death toll from coronavirus is between 1.5 to 2.2 times the official figures. While Masoud Mardani, a member of the scientific committee of Iran’s coronavirus task force, considers the actual figures to be 2.5 times higher..
The high rates of infection and mortality in Iran come at a time when the Iranian government, after weeks into the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, with critical red status in around 100 cities and all hospital beds filled, has recently imposed restrictions on movement and certain activities, and with considerable delay has decided on a two-week shutdown and night-time travel ban in 150 cities including Tehran.
The third wave of the pandemic began after the mourning ceremonies of the month of Muharram were held. Last week, Reza Tabrizi, an athlete who had criticized the keeping of religious sites open during the coronavirus crisis, was detained by security forces in Mashhad.
The United States has warned since the beginning of coronavirus about the cover-up and inability of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s authorities.
Source: Voice of America
