Daily Corona Deaths Drop Under 100

The Health Ministry announced 98 overnight fatalities from the coronavirus outbreak on Tuesday, the lowest figure in over a month.
Tuesday marks the third day of declines in Iran’s COVID-19 fatalities to 98 that bring the toll to 4,683, ISNA reported.
President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday detailed the administration’s scheme to help the underprivileged cope with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic in the form of a 10-million-rial ($62) interest-free loans. 
Rouhani retracted his earlier remarks of the loans carrying a 12% interest, following a strong public backlash. 
“The government will make up for the 12% interest rate,” he said.
The financial aid is scheduled to be deposited in the accounts of those already receiving cash handouts under the subsidy reform plan before the start of the holy month of Ramadan on April 25.
“We have prepared a package worth 1 quadrillion rials [$6.211 billion] to help people and businesses who in the past two months have suffered the ramifications of the widespread outbreak,” Rouhani said.
Iran’s confirmed daily coronavirus cases saw a slight decline on Tuesday, adding 1,574 patients, down by 43 from the previous day, which brings the total caseload to 74,877, Health Ministry’s Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour was quoted as saying by ISNA.
Jahanpour added, “Hospitals have discharged 48,129 patients so far and 3,691 are in critical condition.”
Iran has carried out 287,359 coronavirus tests, ranking 13th in the number of conducted tests among countries hit by the infectious disease.

Aid Program 

Elaborating on the aid package, Rouhani said, “One-fourth will go to the healthcare system and the Unemployment Insurance Fund.”
The top official noted that the other 750 trillion rials ($4.65 billion) will go to those who already receive subsidies from the government and the top 10 occupations worst hit by the pandemic.
According to the president, out of the 750-trillion-rial package, roughly 520 trillion rials ($3.22 billion) will be allocated to 10 jobs most affected by the contagion and the remaining 230 trillion rials ($1.42 billion) will fund the government’s interest-free loan of 10 million rials to families who are already covered by the subsidy reform plan.
Rouhani said, “All our efforts are focused on paying the cash handout four or five days before Ramadan. Those interested in the loan must announce it via text message.”
The 10-million-rial loan will be subtracted from monthly subsidies after a two-month respite in 30 installments. 
The top official pointed out that the lowest-income stratum will receive extra payments to get through these trying times.
The president also announced that the government will support businesses that have not laid off employees during the crisis. The details of the plan will be made public next month.
The world’s tally of coronavirus cases crossed 2 million today. More than 120,000 have perished since the pandemic was first reported by China in late December.