New wave of coronavirus outbreak in Iran and possibility of restrictions returning

Tehran, Gilan, and parts of Sistan and Baluchestan have seen a surge in coronavirus cases. Rouhani said restrictions would be reinstated if warnings were not taken seriously and the disease surged again.

The statistics are not good news, at least in some areas there is talk of a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak. Dr. Minoo Mahrez, an infectious disease specialist and member of the national committee of the headquarters to combat the coronavirus, has stated that the number of patients visiting Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran has increased.

He said, "We can say that a new wave of the coronavirus outbreak has begun," and that the number of infected people is likely to increase even more as public places and restaurants reopen.

This medical expert has stated that the only way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is social distancing.

Regarding the possibility of producing a coronavirus vaccine, Dr. Mahrez said: "No vaccine has yet been definitively produced in the entire world, because producing a vaccine and obtaining approval will take at least six months to a year."

The president of Guilan University of Medical Sciences has also announced that the number of hospitalized patients in this province has increased.

He attributed this to the lack of social distancing and called on people to continue using masks and gloves as they have done in previous months.

The president of Guilan University of Medical Sciences said: "The rate of coronavirus outbreak in Guilan has been declining in recent weeks, but the failure to observe social distancing in entertainment centers has caused its spread to increase, which is a warning sign."

The governor of Delgan in Sistan and Baluchestan province has sounded a similar “alarm bell” for the city. “We will probably see more casualties in the coming days,” Mojtaba Shojaei told ILNA.

He also said: "Markets, family gatherings, weddings, funerals, congregational prayers without observing social distancing, etc., have been the focus of the spread of the coronavirus, and it is interesting that despite the dangers posed by these gatherings, people still resist preventing the formation of the above centers."

The governor of Delgan has asked businessmen to keep the market quiet by keeping their shops closed, and has also asked people not to leave their homes except in essential cases.

He spoke of a group that “moves beyond the boundaries of law and social morality and increases the risk of infection by insisting on holding gatherings.” Shojaei said this group should not be allowed to continue its work.

Rouhani threatens to return restrictions

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a conversation with the Minister of Health on Wednesday night (June 5), emphasized the need for continued implementation of health regulations and called on people to avoid unnecessary travel.

He said: "The honorable people of Iran should know that if these warnings are not taken seriously in any part of the country and, God forbid, the spread of the disease peaks again, the authorities will be forced to reinstate restrictions, which will both disrupt the normal lives of citizens and cause serious economic damage to society."

Rouhani also considered widespread information dissemination, especially on the Iranian Broadcasting System and in cyberspace, important in attracting public cooperation in observing health protocols.

According to the latest statistics announced by the Ministry of Health, as of noon on Thursday, June 5, 164,270 people have been identified with the coronavirus in Iran.

The number of deaths due to Covid-19 is 8,071.

In the past 24 hours, 3,574 new patients have been identified and 59 patients have lost their lives.

Source: DW