IRAN-CoVid19 Case Counts & News

IRAN-2 Elderly Die

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran Reported Two Coronavirus Deaths
Iran has reported its first two cases of the coronavirus. Both of the cases resulted in the deaths of the patients.

A report on U.S. News says the patients were elderly patients of Qom. The source is the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).   ---CONTINUED---

ReadyMom wrote:IRAN-2 Elderly Die

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran Reported Two Coronavirus Deaths
Iran has reported its first two cases of the coronavirus. Both of the cases resulted in the deaths of the patients.

===RELATED===

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iranians who died from coronavirus had no contact with people from China...
https://www.bernama.com/en/world/news.php?id=1815160

TEHRAN, Feb 20 -- Two Iranians who died from the novel coronavirus, dubbed COVID-19, in the city of Qom had not had any contact with Chinese citizens or people who have visited China, Masoud Mardani, a member of the National Committee on Infectious Diseases at the Iranian Health Ministry, told Sputnik news agency.

(SNIP) ... "The committee for the investigation of infectious diseases in the Health Ministry is currently trying to learn how the coronavirus was transmitted to those infected in Qom. It was likely transmitted through one of the travellers who came from (one of) the neighbouring states, although we cannot confirm the place of transmission," Mardani said. ---CONTINUED---

IRAN-9 Deaths

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran Reports 9 Coronavirus-Linked Deaths ...
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/coronavirus-deaths-outside-china-surge-overnight-explosion-new-cases-suggests-outbreak

Update (1010ET): Talk about a spike in deaths: Iran is now reporting 9 deaths after shocking the world by revealing that two Chinese nationals infected with the virus had died in the city of Qoms earlier this week.

The Iranian regime has reportedly imposed a China-style crackdown on Qoms, deploying military and crowd-control police across the city.

It's just the latest sign that the cases and deaths ex-China are accelerating. ---CONTINUED---

IRAN-11 deaths

Hat Tip to 'sharon sanders', FluTrackers:

Exclusive: 11 Coronavirus deaths in Iran
https://iranintl.com/en/iran/exclusive-11-coronavirus-deaths-iran

Based on the reports that Iran International has received, so far, eight coronavirus patients have died in Qom city’s Kamkar-Arabnia hospital with two hospital personnel in intensive care, and one woman passed away from coronavirus in Qom’s Imam Reza hospital.

According to these reports, Qom’s Beheshti hospital with 2100 personnel has distributed 200 L95 masks among them.

The sources told Iran International that several cases of coronavirus have been spotted in Mashhad city and two patients have died of the virus in the northern provinces of Iran. Iranian officials have not commented on these cases.

The chief of medicine in Kamkar-Arabnia hospital in Qom has announced that until further notice, only viral infection specialists are allowed in the hospital’s clinic.

Previously, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health had confirmed two deaths in Qom city.

In Babol city, two patients suspected of coronavirus have been quarantined.

IRAN-

Iran Coronavirus, Man in Qom gets sick with the virus without ever visiting China!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG0JzWhzhto&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1QKKAdtLUqXH6Ho4OaGxFXY9aSLvGfv8BYxzE6YYkOOqAmrVECNT2r6fY

Iran Coronavirus. This video allegedly shows Dr. Mohammad-Molaieean, an infected patient from Qom. The man passed away yesterday. He was a 60 years old teacher. Never in his life had he traveled to China.   ---continued---

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

Spread of coronavirus in Iran worries Middle East
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Spread-of-coronavirus-in-Iran-worries-Middle-East-618349

The Iranian outbreak began in the holy city of Qom where pilgrims from all over the world come.

The spread of coronavirus in Iran has raised concerns across the Middle East as Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other countries reacted to the possibility that the virus could spread via pilgrims or others. Iran held parliamentary elections on Friday but the deaths of at least two more people from the virus, which originated in China, has raised eyebrows.
Reports in Iran appear to point to a growing crisis. While only four or five deaths have been confirmed, the 18 cases detected are thought to be just a few of many that are undetected in many citie

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh', FluTrackers:

Iran reports 10 new Covid-19 cases, 5th fatality
https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2020/02/567998/iran-reports-10-new-covid-19-cases-5th-fatality

By AFP - February 22, 2020 @ 5:23pm

TEHRAN: Iran on Saturday reported 10 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases and one new death, bringing the total number of deaths in the Islamic republic to five and infections to 28.

"We have 10 new confirmed cases of Covid-19," health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on state television.

"One of the new cases has unfortunately passed away," he added, noting that eight of them have been hospitalised in Qom and two in Tehran, without specifying where the death occurred...

Hat Tip to 'kiwibird', FluTrackers:

Unconfirmed Audio
https://twitter.com/i/status/1230551812358447104

Dr. Alavi works at the Kamkar hospital in Qom, Iran reports that over 20 patients have died from clinically diagnosed cases of #coronavirus at his hospital. Tehran is the only place in the country where COVID19 samples can be tested. (Hector Torres)

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Coronavirus Spreads Across Iran, Regime Takes No Action
https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/society/27440-coronavirus-spreads-across-iran-regime-takes-no-action

Official reports from the Iranian regime confirm the spread of the deadly Coronavirus has so far taken the lives of five people and infected over 200.

Yet, the Iranian regime has not taken any preventive measures and necessary action. Local reports indicate that the number of deaths is higher than the figure announced by the regime. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to 'Pathfinder', FluTrackers:

Coronavirus: Iran registers the highest number of deaths in a country outside the Far East
https://www.afp.com/fr/infos/334/coronavirus-liran-enregistre-le-plus-grand-nombre-de-deces-dans-un-pays-hors-extreme-orient-doc-1p77pj11

AFP / ATTA KENARE
22FEB2020

Iran announced on Saturday the closure of schools, educational centers, universities and cultural centers, particularly in Tehran, as a precaution against the new coronavirus, which has already killed five people in the Islamic Republic, the highest number of deaths recorded in a country outside the Far East.

Schools, educational centers and universities will be closed in 14 provinces across the country from Sunday, state television said, citing a "preventive measure".

These establishments will notably be closed in Tehran and Qom, the city where the first two cases of Covid-19, who have since died, have been recorded. "We are on the front lines, we need help," implored the dean of the University of Medical Sciences at Qom on television.

The government has also announced that "all artistic events" and screenings of "movies in theaters across the country have been canceled until the end of the week", in order to stop the spread of the virus.

These decisions come a few hours after the authorities announced a fifth death from the new coronavirus, as well as 10 new cases, bringing the total number of infected people in the Islamic Republic to 28.

"We have ten new confirmed cases of Covid-19," health ministry spokesman Kianouche Jahanpour said on state television on Saturday.

"One of the 10 infected people unfortunately died," he added.

Mr. Jahanpour did not specify the nationality of the five deceased people.
...
The Covid-19 virus was first reported in Iran on Wednesday, when authorities announced the first two illness-related deaths of elderly Iranians from the city of Qom, 150 kilometers south of Tehran.

These were the first confirmed deaths from this disease in the Middle East.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the speed at which the virus has spread in Iran and its spread from the Islamic Republic to other countries including Lebanon.

"The concern is (...) that we have seen an increase in cases, a very rapid increase in a few days," said Sylvie Briand, director of the Global Preparedness for Infectious Risks department at WHO.

"We also wonder about the potential risk of more exported cases in the coming days," she added.

- 75,000 masks sold -

According to Jahanpour, Iran has tested 785 suspected cases since the country's first infections.

"Most of the cases are either residents of Qom" or people who have stayed there, he said.

The holy city of Qom welcomes a large number of students to its seminars and also attracts pilgrims.

The Iranian authorities' announcements come the day after the parliamentary elections.

The disease has not dampened "the revolutionary zeal of the residents of Qom" who went to the polls, welcomed the official media.

The Iranians, however, tore off the surgical protective masks to avoid being contaminated. The online sales site Digikala - Iran's equivalent of Amazon - indicated on Twitter on Friday that it had sold 75,000 masks in 36 hours.

No commission is applied on sales of masks, he said, while concerns about a surge in prices on the black market are growing.

"Despite the high demand we oppose the unusual price increase," said Digikala.

- "The epidemic has started" -

Authorities have yet to confirm the source of the virus in the country, but an official in the health ministry said the Covid-19 may have been imported by Chinese workers.

"The coronavirus epidemic has started in the country," said an infectious disease committee chief Minoo Mohraz on Friday, quoted by the official agency Irna.

"Since the people infected in Qom did not have contact with the Chinese (...) the source is probably Chinese workers who work in Qom and who have traveled to China," she added.

However, the authorities have presented no evidence to support this hypothesis, which has not been reported by any other Iranian media.

On Thursday, Iraq, a neighbor worried about the first deaths in Iran due to the new coronavirus, prohibited "until further notice" the Iranians from entering its soil and its nationals from going to the Islamic Republic.

Kuwait Airways, the national airline of Kuwait, also announced that it would suspend all its flights to Iran.

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran’s government and media lied about coronavirus outbreak, riots erupt
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Irans-government-and-media-lied-about-coronavirus-outbreak-riots-erupt-618431?fbclid=IwAR0EYkXrYaTmlNqAZ75oahu_54nrtbuqYO18_uepCEUCW6Xe8TR-QwVNis0

“Even the hospital medical staff, some of whom are infected with the coronavirus, are terrified."

Iranians are scared and angry. Their government has been lying to them and their media was instructed not to report on the coronavirus outbreak as it rapidly spread from the religious city of Qom to other cities. On Saturday, Tehran was awash with rumors and riots occurred in the city of Talesh on the Caspian sea due to a quarantine. ---CONTINUED---

8 or 18 deaths???

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Coronavirus death toll rises to 8 in Iran: State media
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/02/23/Coronavirus-death-toll-rises-to-18-Iran-Sources.html

Eight people in Iran have died from coronavirus, according to Iran’s health ministry, marking the first coronavirus deaths in the Middle East.

There are now 43 confirmed cases of the illness in Iran, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told state TV. That’s a jump from a Saturday’s total of 28 confirmed cases and six fatalities.

Earlier in the day, Iran International media had put the death toll at 18, citing unnamed sources.

Hat Tip to 'Pathfinder ', FluTrackers:

Dr. John Campbell says he received a direct email this morning from Iranian nationals quoting:

"Tehran situation is terrible with reports of deaths by the hour."

He added that it's from a contact in Iran and he has no way to verify  that, but he knows who they are and don't believe they are lying. He  also says that there's no real doubt that there's a huge outbreak in  Iran.   (Video below)

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh', FluTrackers:
We have no way of knowing if this is true or not..

Exclusive: Iran Revolutionary Guards spymaster rejects holy city quarantine
https://iranintl.com/en/iran/exclusive-iran-revolutionary-guards-spymaster-rejects-holy-city-quarantine

Monday, 24 Feb 2020 17:26
Exclusive: Iran Revolutionary Guards spymaster rejects holy city quarantine

The intelligence head of Iran’s influential Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has opposed imposition of quarantine measures on the holy city of Qom where the deadly novel coronavirus started spreading across the country, informed sources told Iran International.

According to these sources, Hossein Taeb voiced his opposition to a proposal by Iran’s health minister to quarantine Qom during a meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council...

Iranian health minister tests positive for coronavirus
https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/25/iranian-health-minister-tests-positive-coronavirus-12300132/

Iran’s health minister has caught the new coronavirus, the country has announced.

Iraj Hairichi had given a new conference just yesterday seeking to play down the danger caused by the virus, where he stopped at one point to wipe away sweat from his forehead.

He posted a video online today saying that he had contracted the disease and that he had quarantined himself at his home. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran’s Incompetent Response to Coronavirus Threatens the Middle East and the World
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/02/irans-incompetent-response-to-coronavirus-threatens-the-middle-east-and-the-world/

Iran has responded to coronavirus in characteristically counterproductive fashion.

The Iranian government has covered up an outbreak of coronavirus that now threatens the Middle East and has led to border closures and hospitalizations in five countries. Over the weekend of February 21, president Hassan Rouhani and other Iranian officials downplayed the growing crises as Iran’s death toll from the virus climbed. It is now apparent that the regime, which has threatened the region with ballistic missiles, drones, naval mines, and militias over the last few years, has become a health threat as well, as it incubates a potential pandemic. The coronavirus has likely traveled from China to Iran’s city of Qom along the same route that pilgrims and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps uses to travel, illustrating the regime’s disregard for its own citizens and neighbors ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh', FluTrackers:

TRANSLATION:

Iran is in a hurry! Death rate 20 times higher than global average
https://finance.sina.com.cn/money/future/fmnews/2020-02-27/doc-iimxxstf4718972.shtml

February 27, 2020 10:38

旭 Qian Xuming, an associate researcher at the Middle East Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, said in an interview with Times Finance on February 25 that based on the current domestic economic environment and medical and health conditions in Iran, it is difficult to control the epidemic.

Following the outbreak in Italy, an epidemic centered on Iran also emerged in the Middle East. Even the Iranian Deputy Minister of Health and members of the National Assembly "recruited".

An Iranian Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed in an interview with Iranian National Television on February 25 local time that Iranian Deputy Minister of Health Iraj Harirchi has been diagnosed with the infection and is currently being quarantined. An Iranian lawmaker, Mahmoud Sadiqi, even tweeted: "My test for a new coronavirus (nucleic acid) is positive ... I don't have much hope of continuing to live in this world."

以来 Since the first confirmed case of coronavirus infection was reported on February 19, the number of confirmed and fatal cases announced in Iran has increased sharply in the past few days.

汗 Jahanpur, director of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health of Iran, said on February 25 local time that 34 new cases of new coronary pneumonia were diagnosed in Iran, of which 16 were from Qom and 3 were dead. At present, 95 patients with new coronary pneumonia have been diagnosed in the country, and 15 patients have died.

It is worth noting that, with the exception of Hubei, China, the global average mortality rate for new coronary pneumonia is only about 0.7%. However, in sharp contrast, the death rate from the Iranian outbreak has exceeded 15%, which is about 20 times the global average. Such a high mortality rate has raised concerns about the severity of the Iranian outbreak and the authenticity of the statistics.

Not only that, eight Middle Eastern countries other than Iran also reported their first cases in the past two days, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman, and many of these cases are directly related to Iran.

Iran has a total of seven onshore neighbors, six of which have closed their borders with Iran. (Source: Twitter)

At present, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and other countries have restricted or stopped flights to and from Iran. At the same time, six neighboring countries, except Azerbaijan, have closed their land borders with Iran.

When asked about the surge in Iranian cases, Michael Ryan, director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Emergency Planning, responded on February 25 that when a country's first confirmed cases were announced, people might place too much emphasis on death Quantity, but more worryingly, the virus may have been there longer than expected.

In addition, a WHO team has arrived in Iran on February 25.

What is the actual outbreak?

Although the statistical mortality rate will indeed make the mortality rate high in the case of a small number of confirmed patients, different voices have emerged in Iran regarding the actual situation of the epidemic.

美 According to the Associated Press, Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani, a local lawmaker from Qom, the Iranian outbreak center, accused the Iranian government of concealing the number of confirmed diagnoses and deaths.

Falahani was interviewed by local media after traveling to Tehran on February 24th local time to attend the Iranian National Assembly. He said that 10 people died of New Crown Pneumonia every day in Qom. Until the evening of February 23, as many as 50 people died of New Crown virus, and more than 250 were quarantined. "The Minister of Health should be responsible for this result, and as far as the spread of the new crown virus in Qom is concerned, I think the government's performance in controlling the virus has failed."

It is worth mentioning that Farahani's remarks have also been cited and reported by semi-official news agencies such as the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA). In response, Iranian Ministry of Health spokesman Ilage Haric responded on February 24: "No one has more authoritative information than us, and sometimes people will confuse ordinary flu with new crown pneumonia and misunderstand."

Subsequently, Harwich announced the number of confirmed cases and revealed that there are still about 900 suspected cases in Iran that are being tested for viruses.

At the same time, the Director General of the World Health Organization, Tan Desai, said on February 24 that even if the Iranian parliamentarians' statements were not true, Iran is currently the country with the highest number of deaths due to the new coronavirus pneumonia outside China.

耶路撒冷 According to the Jerusalem Post, the Iranian government previously organized citizens to vote in parliamentary elections on February 21. According to official statistics, at least 11 million people have voted in crowded enclosed spaces. Iranian people have doubts that the Iranian government is trying to ensure that the parliamentary elections have hidden the outbreak.

It is worth noting that the local MP, Ahmad Sadik, who has been diagnosed with New Coronary Pneumonia, is also a member of the Iranian National Assembly on February 24.

抗 Anti-epidemic under sanctions “willing”

Regardless of the true situation of the Iranian epidemic, the more important question is whether Iran can control the domestic epidemic and continue to escalate. But judging from the current Iranian response measures and effects, the Iranian government may be "powerless".

布 Abu Kaba, head of the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, believes Iran has the ability to respond to the outbreak because Iran has one of the best health systems in the Middle East. But he is also concerned that US sanctions will affect Iran's ability to respond to the outbreak.

In response to the epidemic, the Iranian government announced on February 24 that schools, cinemas and other cultural venues in 14 of the country's 31 provinces will be closed. All cultural and artistic activities that lead to crowd gathering will be banned for a week.

It is reported that the measure was originally targeted at Qom Province, but as the epidemic has worsened, the measure has now been extended to western and northern Iran's provinces, including: Makazi, Gilan, Ardabil, Kerman Shah, Qazvin, Zanjan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Hamidan, Alberts, Semnan, Kurdistan and Tehran.

The Iranian Ministry of Health also announced on February 24 that the medical expenses related to new coronary pneumonia will be borne by the government. In each city, at least one hospital will be set up to receive, detect and treat new cases of coronavirus. In addition, the Iranian government has designated at least 230 hospitals for the treatment of infectious diseases.

From the perspective of the implementation of the measures, the domestic epidemic prevention work seems to be in order. But in Qom, the hardest-hit area in Iran, the situation is not optimistic.

Mohammad Réza Ghadir, the dean of kum University Hospital, called for help from local television on February 24: "We are on the front line, we need help and help Qum."

Mr. Farahani also said that Qom's local nurses lacked proper protective equipment and that some health experts had left Qom.

According to Al Jazeera, in a local hospital in Gilan province in northern Iran, a nurse at a local hospital stated, "Although we are on the front line of caring for a suspected infection, we do not have standard protective clothing or masks, nor do we have the necessary disinfectants Hand sanitizer. The hospital only distributed disposable gowns for surgery. "

Under long-term economic sanctions, Iran's imports and exports were severely hit. The outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic made it difficult for Iran's medical supplies to be replenished.

In response, Qian Xuming, an associate researcher at the Middle East Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, said in an interview with Times Finance on February 25 that it is difficult to control the epidemic in the short term based on the current domestic economic environment and medical and health conditions in Iran.

To make matters worse, on February 21st local time, the Paris-based Anti-Money Laundering Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklisted Iran, putting greater financial pressure on Iran and Iranian banks.

According to the Iranian semi-official news agency ILNA, Ramin Fallah, a member of the Iranian Medical Equipment Importers Association, said on February 23 that many international companies have prepared to provide Iran with a new coronavirus detection kit, but due to US sanctions And the new sanctions imposed on Iran by anti-money laundering authorities have made Iran unable to provide them with funding.

金融 According to the Financial Times on February 24, only the World Health Organization has bypassed these sanctions to help Iran get four sets of diagnostic equipment made in Europe, and more are still on the way.

The epidemic could spread across the Middle East

With the outbreak of the Iranian epidemic, confirmed cases related to Iran have also appeared in various countries in the Middle East, which has drawn great attention from governments, because once the outbreak of the Iranian epidemic is out of control, it may spread to the entire Middle East.

In this regard, Qian Xuming pointed out that Qom is the area where the Iranian epidemic occurred first and is also the worst. At the same time, it is also a shrine of Islamic Shiites. Every year, millions of Muslim pilgrims will go to Qom for pilgrimage. "Religious places are crowded and highly contagious, and pilgrims who visit Qom will return to their home countries and spread the virus to other countries, which may further expand the epidemic in the Middle East."

According to previous statistics from the Persian Channel, Qom receives about 22 million tourists each year, of which about 2.5 million come from outside Iran.

Times Finance and Economics has calculated the outbreak data of the Middle East countries as of 12 noon on February 26 according to relevant official reports:

Afghanistan: 1 confirmed diagnosis

The Afghan Ministry of Health announced the first case of new coronary pneumonia on February 24. The man was diagnosed after returning to Afghanistan from Qom, Iran. The Afghan government has closed its border with Iran.

United Arab Emirates: 13 confirmed cases

There are currently 13 confirmed cases in the UAE, of which the newly confirmed case on February 24 is an Iranian couple. The government suspended all flights to and from Iran for a week and barred citizens from travelling to Iran. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called on UAE citizens currently in Iran to contact the UAE embassy.

Oman: 4 confirmed cases

The Ministry of Health of Oman announced two new confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia on February 25. Both patients returned home after traveling from Iran. Oman currently suspends flights to and from Iran.

Babalim: 23 confirmed cases

The Bahrain Ministry of Health announced on the evening of the 25th that six new cases of new pneumonia infections were reported. This is the third time that the number of infected people has been increased. The infected persons were four men and two women, both Bahraini, who had visited Iran as in previous cases and then returned to Bahrain via Sharjah airport. This means that a total of 23 infected people in Bahrain had Iranian travel history. The Ministry of Education of Bahrain announced on the same day that all public and private schools, including kindergartens, will be closed for two weeks starting February 26.

Palestine: No confirmed case

No confirmed cases have yet appeared in Palestine, but some restaurants and public facilities previously visited by Korean tourists have been closed.

Qatar: No confirmed cases

No confirmed cases have occurred in Qatar, but passengers from Iran and South Korea have been quarantined.

Kuwait: 11 confirmed cases

According to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), on the 25th local time, the Ministry of Health of Kuwait stated that two new cases of pneumonia and pneumonia were newly diagnosed, resulting in a total of 11 confirmed cases in the country. As of February 23, Kuwait had evacuated 800 nationals from Iran and blocked borders and ports.

Lebanon: 1 confirmed diagnosis

The first confirmed case of new coronavirus was found on February 22 by the Lebanese Ministry of Health, a 45-year-old female who had traveled to Qom, Iran. It is worth noting that Lebanon's Shiite population is large. Every year thousands of Lebanese make regular pilgrimages to Shiite shrines in Iran, including Qom.

Saudi Arabia: No confirmed cases

There is no confirmed case of new coronary pneumonia in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government announced on February 24: all foreign tourists who have visited Iran must enter Iran 14 days after leaving Iran to prevent the spread of the virus caused by the gathering of religious activities in the two holy Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina.

Syria: No confirmed cases reported

No confirmed case of new coronary pneumonia has been reported in Syria, but due to the ongoing civil war in Syria, the government may not have time to confirm the statistics.

Yemen: No confirmed cases reported

Yemen has yet to report confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia, but similar to Syria, Yemeni government forces are currently in conflict with the Houthi armed forces, and the government may not have the time to confirm the statistics.

Israel: 6 confirmed cases

The Israeli Ministry of Health announced on February 24 that of the 11 people returning to Israel from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on February 21, one was diagnosed. Currently, two people diagnosed in Israel are from the Diamond Princess, and the four Israeli patients who were previously confirmed on the cruise are still receiving treatment in Japan. As a result, the total number of confirmed cases in Israel is currently six.

Iraq: 5 confirmed cases

The Iraqi Ministry of Health stated on February 25 that four new cases of new crown pneumonia have been confirmed in the country's Kirkuk province, and the total number of new cases of new crown pneumonia in Iraq has increased to five. The four new patients came from the same family who had travelled to Iran and are now being treated in isolation.

As early as February 20, Iraq had announced that it would close its border with Iran and grounded the route between Iran and Iran. The Iraqi government extended a travel restriction order against Iranians by 15 days on February 24. It is worth noting that Iraq's healthcare environment is harsh. According to an estimate by the World Health Organization in 2018, there are fewer than 10 doctors per 10,000 population in Iraq.

Jordan: No confirmed cases

No confirmed cases have yet appeared in Jordan, but the Jordanian government also announced on February 23 that it temporarily banned non-Jordanian visitors from Iran, South Korea and China.

In the evaluation report of the Global Health Security Index, the medical conditions in the Middle East are generally poor. (Source: GHS Index official website)

It is worth mentioning that the medical conditions in the Middle East are generally poor, and once the epidemic spreads, it may be difficult to control.

In the Global Health Security Index (GHS Index) released in October 2019, of the 195 countries evaluated, the highest ranking in the Middle East was Israel and the UAE, ranked 54th and 56th, and Lebanon and Oman Tied for 73rd, Jordan and Qatar ranked 80th and 82nd.

其余 The rest of the Middle East countries, such as Iran and Iraq, have not reached the average score. Iran ranks 97th, Afghanistan 130th, and Iraq 167th. Syria and Yemen, which have suffered many years of war, are among the 10 lowest ranked countries.

It is understood that the index is evaluated based on six indicators: disease prevention measures, detection capabilities, response efficiency, national health, sanitary standards, and epidemic risk.

From this perspective, the general health situation in the Middle East may not be able to withstand the outbreak.

Hat Tip to 'Sally Furniss', FluTrackers:

Health authorities have urged citizens to stay in their homes, to reduce the possibility of the disease spreading in the country
https://www.aa.com.tr/ar/%D8%AF%D9%8...D8%B1/1745910#

Idris Muhammad, who is coming from India to Qom, told Anatolia: "The situation is very difficult. No one can roam the city or leave Iran in the current conditions.
Similar orders were issued in the capital, Tehran, and other provinces affected by the virus

President Hassan Rouhani has issued orders to the Ministry of Health to establish a national command center to monitor cases of the Coronavirus and prevent its spread.

Dr. Salami, a doctor from Ghailan (North), said: "There is clearly something missing in the treatment of this recent health crisis, perhaps they did not expect to get out of control and spread to other parts of the country from Qom

The Corona crisis surprised everyone in Iran, including health authorities. Saadat Ali Raza, a real estate dealer from Tehran, told Anatolia: "It happened suddenly and frighteningly, to the point that we didn't know what precautions to take, what to eat, and what to breathe.

And what added to the shock among the Iranians, was the conflicting news and reports about the real numbers of people with the disease

A number of countries neighboring Iran, led by Turkey, Kuwait and Iraq, have closed their borders

Hat Tip to 'kiwibird', FluTrackers:

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2020/02/25/Coronavirus-cases-in-Iran-could-be-as-high-as-1-500-Experts.html

The number of people infected with coronavirus in Iran could be as high as 1,500, experts say, versus the government’s official number of 95 cases, reported on Tuesday. .....

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh ', FluTrackers:

Iran Confirms Total Of 26 Coronavirus Deaths: Ministry
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/health/iran-confirms-total-of-26-coronavirus-deaths-848883.html

Mohammad Ali 2 minutes ago Thu 27th February 2020 | 04:20 PM

...An additional 106 confirmed infections took the total number of cases so far to 245, ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told a daily briefing.

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh', FluTrackers:

Doctors Inside Iran Believe Coronavirus Is More Serious Than Reported, and Getting Worse
https://time.com/5791516/iran-doctors-coronavirus-middle-east/

Atta Kenare—AFP via Getty Images
By Tara Kangarlou
February 27, 2020 7:54 AM EST

With dozens of publicly known cases and multiple deaths, Iran is now the epicenter of the coronavirus in the Middle East. Doctors inside the Islamic Republic say the country is now grappling with an “epidemic,” and the response has been hampered not just by government inaction and disinformation but also economic sanctions.

“We think that this virus has been in Iran for the past three to four weeks and has circulated throughout the country. Right now in Iran we are facing a coronavirus epidemic,” said a senior medical doctor at the Masih Daneshvari hospital in Tehran, the country’s top pulmonary public hospital and the main facility overseeing coronavirus patients...

Hat Tip to 'kiwibird', FluTrackers:

https://iran-hrm.com/index.php/2020/02/26/iranian-prisoners-suspected-of-contracting-the-coronavirus/

There have been reports in recent days on the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Iranian prisons. At least several prisoners in the prisons of Urmia, Qezel Hessar, and Khorramabad are suspected of contracting the Coronavirus.

There are also reports of cases suspected of contracting the Coronavirus in the Central Prison of Karaj and ban on visitations. Political prisoners and prisoners of conscience have been transferred to the workers’ ward and their ward has been turned into the quarantine for prisoners who are suspected of contracting the Coronavirus. It appears that the close proximity of this ward to the prison’s dispensary has been the reason for this decision.

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh', FluTrackers:

Iran's former ambassador to Vatican dies of coronavirus:
http://www.ecns.cn/news/society/2020-02-28/detail-ifztzycc4783371.shtml

2020-02-28 01:06:35Xinhua Editor : Zhao Yuning

Iran's former Ambassador to Vatican Hadi Khosroshahi on Thursday died of the novel coronavirus infection, local media reported...

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh', FluTrackers:

Covid-19 infection kills national futsal player Elham Sheikhi in Qom
https://women.ncr-iran.org/2020/02/27/covid-19-infection-kills-national-futsal-player-elham-sheikhi-in-qom/

February 27, 2020
in Women's News

Elham Sheikhi, 23 and member of women’s national futsal team, died in Qom on February 26, 2020 due to the Covid-19 infection.

Elham Sheikhi is the first Iranian athlete to die due to Covid-19 infection. Her death has provoked much grief and sorrow across Iran.

Elham Sheikhi was a member of the women’s national team and had also played with Isfahan’s professional Sepahan team. She is the first professional athlete to lose her life due to the Coronavirus...

Hat Tip to 'Treyfish', FluTrackers:

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Iranian Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar has tested positive for coronavirus, the state-run daily IRAN reported.
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2020/02/27/Iranian-Vice-President-Masoumeh-Ebtekar-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-Report.html

Ebtekar is the first member of President Hassan Rouahni’s cabinet to be infected with the novel coronavirus.

Earlier today, the chairman of the Iranian parliament’s national sec.

Hat Tip to 'Treyfish', FluTrackers:

At least 7 Iranian government officials have coronavirus
https://theweek.com/speedreads/898803/least-7-iranian-government-officials-have-coronavirus

9:37 p.m.
Masoumeh Ebtekar, Iran's vice president for women and family affairs, is the latest Iranian government official to contract coronavirus.

At least seven officials in the country have tested positive for the coronavirus, COVID-19. Ebtekar is the highest-ranking woman in Iran's government, and is now quarantined at home, her deputy announced on Thursday. She was photographed on Wednesday during a cabinet meeting, sitting just a few yards away from President Hassan Rouhani.

The other infected officials are Iraj Harirchim, deputy health minister; Mojtaba Zolnour, a Parliament member from Qom and head

Hat Tip to 'Shiloh', FluTrackers:

Coronavirus: 34 people killed in Iran and 388 confirmed cases
https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/coronavirus-34-people-killed-in-iran-and-388-confirmed-cases-1.1582888349843

Experts fear Iran is underreporting the number of cases
Published: February 28, 2020 15:11 Agencies

Tehran: Iran's Health Ministry spokesman says the new coronavirus has killed 34 people amid 388 confirmed cases in Iran.

The hardest-hit among the provinces remained the one home to the holy Shiite city of Qom.

Experts fear Iran is underreporting the number of cases of the new virus as cases across the Gulf countries have emerged in recent days linked back to the Islamic Republic...

All schools in Iran to close for three days over coronavirus concerns: health minister
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-iran-education/all-schools-in-iran-to-close-for-three-days-over-coronavirus-concerns-health-minister-idUSKCN20M1W8

All schools in Iran will close for three days starting from Saturday over coronavirus concerns, Iran’s health minister announced on state TV.

“Based on assessments it was felt that there was a need for closing all the schools in the country ....

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran’s Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 34 as 73 Others Recover
https://ifpnews.com/irans-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-to-34-as-73-others-recover

ran’s Health Ministry says eight more people have died of the novel coronavirus during the past 24 hours, increasing the death toll to 34.

Kianoush Jahanpour, the Health Ministry’s spokesman, said in a press conference on Friday that 143 new cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed in the past 24 hours, raising the total number to 388.

Out of these cases, 34 have so far died, and 73 have recovered and been discharged from hospital, he noted. ---CONTINUED---

I wonder if they will re-infect as is happening elsewhere. Talked with my doctor friend yesterday and he says tie re-infected will be hit with a cytokine storm and won't live long. . . .

 Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

Iran’s coronavirus death toll jumps to 54, with 978 infected
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-03-01-irans-coronavirus-death-toll-jumps-to-54-with-978-infected/

DUBAI, March 1 (Reuters) - Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 54, Health Ministry spokesman told state TV, adding that the number of people infected had reached 978.  ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Coronavirus kills top offical close to Iran's supreme leader
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/coronavirus-kills-top-offical-close-irans-supreme-leader

A member of a council that advises Iran's supreme leader died today after falling sick from the new coronavirus, state radio reported, becoming the first top official to succumb to the illness that is affecting members of the Islamic Republic's leadership. ---CONTINUED---

Iran says 66 dead amid 1,501 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the Islamic Republic.
https://oklahoman.com/article/feed/10024386/iran-says-66-dead-amid-1501-confirmed-cases-of-the-new-coronavirus-in-the-islamic-republic

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran says 66 dead amid 1,501 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the Islamic Republic.

Iran finds millions of hoarded gloves as coronavirus deaths hit 66
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-iran-idUSKBN20P1E6

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian authorities uncovered a stash of hoarded medical supplies including millions of gloves as deaths from its coronavirus epidemic hit 66 including a senior official.

(SNIP) ... The hoarded supplies, including 28 million medical gloves, were found in two warehouses in Kahrizak, a town about 25 km south of Tehran, a Revolutionary Guards commander, Hassan Hassanzadeh, told the Fars news agency. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

100,000 Coronavirus Test Kits Shipped to Iran by WHO
https://ifpnews.com/100000-coronavirus-test-kits-shipped-to-iran-by-who

Iran has received a consignment of medical equipment provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), including 100,000 novel coronavirus diagnostic test kits.

Director of the public relations department of Imam Khomeini International Airport told Fars that a cargo plane carrying 7.5 tonnes of medical and protective equipment necessary for the fight against COVID-19 has landed in the airport on Monday.

The medical aid has been provided by the World Health Organization.

Ali Kashani Heidari said the WHO representatives have also arrived in Iran to examine the status of the country’s efforts to handle the coronavirus outbreak. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran virus deaths now 77 as emergency services chief infected
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1636256/middle-east?fbclid=IwAR0o18PSEbwOlXLx4ilaMk89vk2Tsp5mWXW2g9x_AobpRwYAGCrpx5GPPjE



Iran has scrambled to halt the rapid spread of the virus
On Tuesday it announced another 11 deaths and 835 new infections

TEHRAN: Coronavirus has claimed 77 lives in Iran, officials said Tuesday, as the emergency services chief became the latest high-ranking official to be infected in the deadliest outbreak outside China.

Iran has scrambled to halt the rapid spread of the virus, shutting schools and universities, suspending major cultural and sporting events, and cutting back on work hours.

On Tuesday it announced another 11 deaths and 835 new infections — the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID-19 outbreak began in the Islamic republic nearly two weeks ago. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Iran: Coronavirus Death Toll Exceeds 1,000
https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/human-rights/27490-iran-coronavirus-death-toll-exceeds-1-000?fbclid=IwAR0wBSu2HGAakDrfQ_aWrzG-KeCTms8C4Zvw0_ovMz2z7HuNO2gorO3S4SM

Corona outbreak in Iran Prisons, especially in Fashafouyeh, Gohardasht, Ghezel-Hesar, Central Karaj, Urmia, Shiban-Ahvaz and Kashan

Call for immediate international action to save the lives of the prisoners

Several MEK activists, Resistance Units members, also died of infection while trying to help the victims

The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI /MEK) announced on Monday, March 2, 2020, that as of 8:00 pm local time, the death toll nationwide from Coronavirus had exceeded 1000.

Some 300 victims in Qom, 209 in Tehran, 61 in Isfahan, 92 in Gilan, 58 in Golestan, 48 in Central, 45 in Kermanshah, 37 in Fars and more than 100 in Mazandaran have lost their lives. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluWiki, Facebook:

Coronavirus: Iran temporarily frees 54,000 prisoners to combat spread
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51723398?fbclid=IwAR0oIZ_dlUluXuSetemYyUK4jJpSn3xoLelF4ypkwLfGIJgZtsnCeZEuuFE

Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus disease in crowded jails.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters the inmates were allowed out of prison after testing negative for Covid-19 and posting bail.

"Security prisoners" sentenced to more than five years will not be let out.

The jailed British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be freed soon, according to a British MP. ---CONTINUED---

Probably not a long life expectancy in Irans prisons anyway.

Iran men who licked holy shrine face prison, flogging, as troops ordered to fight coronavirus outbreak
https://www.foxnews.com/world/coronavirus-iran-holy-shrine-licking-prison-flogging?fbclid=IwAR0BxKJLt6qygT6CebI5R6gKYb5L-DE4seXitULfOwm7KZqUNgpj2xXH2_Q

The two Iranian men who defied coronavirus warnings when they videotaped themselves licking holy shrines in Qom could face prison and flogging.

The now-viral videos of the two men began circulating over the weekend as Iran continues to work to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Officially known as COVID-19, it has killed at least 77 in the Middle Eastern country. ---CONTINUED---

My opinion. Let them lick away all they want to.

This crap will send Iran back to the stone ages-whoops they are already there.

Iranian media: the number of deaths due to corona has reached 483 cases
Hat Tip to FluTrackers:

Last update: Thursday 11 Rajab 1441 AH - 05 March 2020 KSA 23:54 - GMT 20:54
Publication date: Wednesday 10 Rajab 1441 AH - 04 March 2020 KSA 12:52 - GMT 09:52
Source: Dubai - Arabia.Net
Iran International Arabic website reported on Twitter, citing sources, on Wednesday that the number of deaths in all Iranian provinces due to the Corona virus reached 483 people.

The website of the Iranian presidency, quoting President Hassan Rouhani, while speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, stated that the outbreak of the Corona virus in the country affected almost all 31 provinces....A spokesman for the Ministry of Health announced earlier that the number of deaths due to corona in Iran reached 92, with 2922 confirmed cases, the highest number of deaths in the world outside China.

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

Coronavirus pummels Iran leadership as data show spread is far worse than reported
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/coronavirus-pummels-iran-leadership-as-data-show-spread-is-far-worse-than-reported/2020/03/04/7b1196ae-5c9f-11ea-ac50-18701e14e06d_story.html

ISTANBUL — The coronavirus outbreak sweeping through Iran has delivered a jarring blow to the senior ranks of its government, infecting about two dozen members of parliament and at least 15 other current or former top figures, according to official reports.

Among those sickened have been a vice president, a deputy health minister, and an adviser to the head of the judiciary, and the virus has struck at the pinnacle of power, killing an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. ---CONTINUED---

Hat Tip to FluTrackers:

Iran reports 107 deaths, 3513 infections from coronavirus - health ministry spokesman
https://www.yahoo.com/news/iran-reports-107-deaths-3513-103723767.html

Reuters•March 5, 2020

DUBAI, March 5 (Reuters) - One hundred and seven people have died and 3513 have been infected with coronavirus in Iran, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur announced on state TV on Thursday.

"In the last 24 hours the lab samples that have been confirmed include 591 infections from COVID-19 ...so we have 3513 cases of COVID-19," Jahanpur said...

Hat Tip to Avian Flu Diary

Iran MOH: 3513 COVID-19 Cases, 109 Deaths
https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2020/03/iran-moh-3513-covid-19-cases-109-deaths.html

Although we generally get fragmented and government `curated' news out Iran, even the official reports paint a bleak picture of their battle against their COVID-19 epidemic, which only took off two weeks ago.

Today, Tasnim news reports that Iran Extends Closure of All Schools, Universities due to COVID-19 for another two weeks, and today's update from the MOH strongly recommends people stay home and `reduce unnecessary trips and minimize urban and intercity excursions'.

The official numbers cited below are likely just the tip of the iceberg, as testing is limited, and many people with milder illness are not going to hospitals. It has also widely been reported - but is unverified - that the death toll is considerably higher than official reports would suggest. ---CONTINUED---

On the plus side maybe this will keep them from trying to kill us for a while

Hat Tip to John West's Daily Big Threat Blog:

Another jump in coronavirus deaths in Iran
https://www.9news.com.au/world/another-jump-in-coronavirus-deaths-in-iran/af694435-7199-472d-be58-9b4d1b9d3c1b

Iran's health ministry says 194 people have died from coronavirus and 6566 are now infected.

(SNIP) ... "In the past 24 hours, we have had 49 people who have died from this illness so we have at least 194 deaths until now." ---continued---

Iran says total number of infected with coronavirus reaches 70,029
https://in.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-iran/iran-says-total-number-of-infected-with-coronavirus-reaches-70029-idINKCN21T0GJ?rpc=401&

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran’s total death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak rose to 4,357 on Saturday, with 125 people having lost their lives in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said.

The total number of people diagnosed with the disease rose by 1,837 in the past 24 hours to a total of 70,029, ---CONTINUED---