Iran Covid-19 Tally: 210,000 Infections, 10,000 Deaths

Coronavirus cases in Iran and its related fatalities neared 210,000 and 10,000 respectively on Tuesday, as government officials urged residents to avoid complacency.
“The overnight death toll caused by Covid-19 reached 121 on Tuesday, a record one-day increase since April 11. The additional fatalities took the total number to 9,863,” ISNA quoted Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari as saying.
Over 2,440 were confirmed to have contracted the virus in a 24-hour period, Lari said, raising the national tally to 209,970.
More than half of the new cases were hospitalized in general wards and intensive care units, while some 2,840 are in critical condition.
Alireza Zali, the head of Tehran’s Coronavirus Taskforce, noted that a majority of recently-reopened businesses strictly adhered to safety protocols in the first few days, but they have become neglectful ever since.
“Naturally, since the dangers of the virus have not lessened, reduced compliance with health guidelines can be dangerous for residents,” he said.
“We advise people to stay home, except for work and essential reasons; leaving home can be dangerous.”
At least 170,000 in Iran have survived the viral infection so far, one of the highest recovery rates among Covid-19-hit countries.
Iran has carried out 1.47 million diagnostic tests since the pandemic emerged.
On the status of the contagion in Iran’s 31 provinces, Lari said, “Hospitalizations in Khuzestan, West Azarbaijan and Hormozgan are higher than other regions of the country.”
Khuzestan has, however, seen a decline in fatalities in recent days. The southwestern province was in a state of emergency in the past few weeks following a surge in infections most likely sparked by public wedding ceremonies and funerals.
According to the health official, the number of those hospitalized in five provinces with alarming coronavirus transmissions has declined, but it has risen in the southern Fars Province.
Zali acknowledged that it is “nearly impossible” to respect social distancing rules in Tehran’s public transport system. 
The coronavirus taskforce “seriously” plans to make wearing masks mandatory in “red” zones, the official said.