Iran’s health minister has warned that the country faces a doubling of its daily rate of coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths if Iranians don’t abide by rules brought in to stem the spread of the disease.
“This is the last chance for our health system to recover, if people fall short we will lose the game and reach four-digit death figures ...and that is an abyss from which it is difficult to escape,” Saeed Namaki said, state media reported.
Almost every day by now is bringing dire new official records in coronavirus infections and deaths in Iran. New infections rose by a record 13,421 in the latest recorded 24-hour period, taking the cumulative total to 801,894, the health ministry said on November 18. The daily death toll was a near-record 480, taking the overall number of virus deaths so far to 42,941. Observers say the unofficial picture, taking into account infections and deaths that go unrecorded, may be far worse.
The government said stricter restrictions to battle the pandemic would be imposed in Tehran and some 100 other cities and towns from November 21. Non-essential businesses and services would be shut or seriously curtailed and cars would not be allowed to enter or leave those localities.
Police said the ban on cars leaving or entering provincial capitals would go into effect as early as November 19.
Don’t just follow the news—understand it.
The IntelliNews PRO service includes access to reports, exclusive market data, and more news that decision-makers care about. Stay ahead of the market with IntelliNews PRO.
Sign Up NowRelated Articles
Iran ties full reopening of Strait of Hormuz to US halting regional wars, Rezaei says
Iran will fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz only if the United States meets a set of conditions led by efforts to halt wars in Lebanon and Gaza, Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen ... more
Russian analyst warns US financial threats against Iran's partners risk dollar
Threatening to cut countries that trade with Iran out of the global financial system would damage confidence in the US dollar, particularly given the exposure of China and Oman, Russian economist ... more
Iran's Mashhad loses second dam as drought deepens
The Torogh dam serving Iran's second city of Mashhad has gone out of service due to low water, leaving the metropolis without another of its main supply reservoirs, Hamshahri Online reported on ... more