Iran Corona Cases Cross 60,000

Iran’s tally of coronavirus cases crossed 60,000 on Monday, as the country witnessed its seventh consecutive day of declining totals.
Iran reported 60,500 infections, up by 2,274 from the previous day and 136 more deaths, bringing the national total to 3,739, Health Ministry Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour was quoted as saying by ISNA.
The number of patients in critical condition also saw an uptick, reaching 4,083, up by 26 from a day earlier. Recovered cases surged to 24,236.
President Hassan Rouhani attended the coronavirus economic response taskforce on Monday to announce the government’s decisions aimed at providing relief to millions of people affected by the relentless spread of the outbreak.
Taking into account families who are facing the financial fallout of the pandemic, Rouhani’s administration has prepared a coronavirus aid package totaling 250 trillion rials ($1.52 billion) that allocates 10 million rials ($60.9) to families who already receive cash handouts under the subsidy reform plan.
According to the president, 23 million families receive monthly cash subsidies from the government, noting that the 10-million-rial aid will gradually be subtracted from the monthly subsidies over a period of 24 months, starting next month.
The government has also assigned 50 trillion rials ($304.8 million) to the country’s Unemployment Insurance Fund to counter mass layoffs resulting from the partial shutdown of small and large businesses across the country.
Rouhani said, “We have allocated 130 trillion rials ($792.6 million) for the fight against coronavirus.” 
The fund will go to the Health Ministry to acquire medical equipment and to knowledge-based firms.

International Solidarity

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said the COVID-19 pandemic has fostered global solidarity. 
Mousavi said, “Many international campaigns were launched to show sympathy to Iran and underscore the human aspect of the crisis created by sanctions.”
Iran feels the economic strain of the coronavirus crisis more than most countries, as it has faced harsh American sanctions since May 2018 when US President Donald Trump unilaterally reneged on the 2015 nuclear accord.
According to Mousavi, more than 30 countries and some international organizations have helped Iran during the global outbreak.
The official added, “Iran’s government and people also thank expatriate Iranians who have sent their help via embassies.”
Iran will start easing restrictions on low-risk businesses from next Saturday to prevent the further weakening of the sanctions-hit economy while taking heed of health protocols laid out by the Health Ministry.
The respiratory illness is the cause of death of more than 70,000 people worldwide from over 1,285,000 who have fallen ill due to the novel coronavirus.