Iran’s State media are finally acknowledging the resurgence of Coronavirus in the Islamic Republic after the Government easing of restrictions.
Press TV, silent for weeks on the rising number of cases, headlines, “Iran Braces for Second Wave of Coronavirus Infections”.
The official number of cases in Iran, an epicenter after China at the start of the outbreak, had fallen to 803 on May 2.
But the Government’s reopening of businesses, mosques, and other public spaces from April 11 then produced a spike that reached 3,574 cases on Thursday, the highest official figure in the crisis.
The Health Ministry has announced 8,209 deaths and 169,425 cases. Medics, activists, and some Iranian officials say the official total is under-reported. Last month, a Parliamentary assessment concluded that the actual number of cases is more than double the official count.
“Stronger Than Before”Calling the new development a disaster, government officials have been quick to rebuke people for ignoring public health advice, including maintaining physical distancing and wearing masks in public. They have warned that the Coronavirus is not over yet, and at any moment it may come back stronger than before.
A Health Ministry poll found only 40% of Iranians are now obeying social-distancing measures, compared to 90%m after the regime belatedly acknowledged the spread of the virus in March.
Despite the rise in cases, the Government is proceeding with further re-opening. Restaurants were allowed to resume business after Ramadan, and universities restarted classes on Saturday.
Speaking to the National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus, President Hassan Rouhani did not back away from the re-opening.
However, in a sharp contrast to his declaration of “success” last month, he said:
The coronavirus epidemic period will be long and we don’t know when it will end…..
People should be aware that what they consider for the future should not be limited to a week or a month, but should continue for several months and at least until the end of the year.
Rouhani acknowledged the priority of Iran’s economic crisis over the public health emergency, saying “that businesses and the country’s economy must be active at the same time as fighting the Coronavirus, and that there is no other way”.
The Supreme Leader has emphasized his “Surge in Production” slogan for the Iranian year. He has said that the production will “neutralize” the virus.
Amid a fall of up to 95% in oil export income, Iran is beset by problems with production, investment, trade, and employment. The International Monetary Fund forecasts that GDP, which fell 7.6% in 2019, will contract another 11% this year.
