Virus Infections Cross 250,000 in Iran

Iran’s confirmed coronavirus cases passed a quarter of a million on Tuesday, as the country reimposed some lockdown measures in its hardest-hit areas.
The daily count of coronavirus patients rose to 2,262 on Friday, up by 8.8% compared to a day earlier, taking the caseload to some 253,000, Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari was quoted as saying by ISNA.
More than 64% of the new cases had developed severe symptoms and were hospitalized. Some 3,320 are in critical condition in intensive care units.
Overnight deaths took a dive on Friday, dropping by 35% to 142 from yesterday’s record high of 221.
Lari advised against intercity travel and singled out Mazandaran and Khorasan Razavi Provinces as two locations the public should especially refrain from traveling to. Same as the day before, nine out of Iran’s 31 province are in a state of emergency and the condition of 10 is “alarming”.
In roughly five months, Iran has administered 1.92 million coronavirus tests to identify infected patients. 
Last week, the government issued a mandatory mask wearing order in enclosed public areas to contain the contagion. The World Health Organization on Friday said for the first time that airborne transmission of the deadly virus “cannot be ruled out” in crowded indoor locations.

Source of Resurgence 

During a coronavirus taskforce meeting on Tuesday, President Hassan Rouhani said the two most important causes of the new rise in confirmed cases are wedding ceremonies and funerals.
One day later, the spokeswoman of Health Ministry also linked high numbers of virus transmission to weddings and funerals, saying the data were collected by contact tracing and warned against attending large gatherings.
Rouhani asked the taskforce’s security-social committee to bar gatherings, including wedding ceremonies and funerals, as the main reasons for the fast spread of SARS-CoV-2.
The top official said, “Two of the greatest risks in this new wave are the fatigue of healthcare providers and hospitals nearing full capacity.”
Many hospitals across the nation are being overwhelmed by the increasing number of patients complaining about shortness of breath and high fevers, among other symptoms. 
Global Covid-19 infections surged to 12.42 million and claimed the lives of 559,000.