Stringent Measures Required to Curb Covid-19

President Ebrahim Raeisi on Saturday called for stricter enforcement of health protocols to help contain the coronavirus outbreak as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to sweep Iran.
In a National Coronavirus Headquarters meeting, Raeisi said the extent of the virus’ spread was “unacceptable”, president.ir reported.
“We need to take immediate measures to prevent gatherings and movements in crowded centers such as restaurants, wedding halls, malls and enclosed bazaars,” he added.
The emergence of the more transmissible Delta variant has overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system and caused a shortage of medicines in provinces worse hit by the infection. 
Iran has increased vaccination levels to tackle a devastating fifth wave, bringing in two vaccine shipments every week to inoculate its target of 60 million people. 
Noting the necessity for imports, the president also highlighted local vaccine production to immunize those most at risk as fast as possible. 
Addressing the concerns of parents on the upcoming school year, Raeisi said the full vaccination of parents, teachers and school personnel was the prerequisite to a switch to in-person learning.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced on Saturday the formation of a special taskforce dedicated to the import of Covid vaccines. 
“Our goal is to mobilize all embassies outside the country … to assist in expediting [imports],” the diplomat noted.
Delayed shipments and overreliance on domestic production had slowed vaccine rollout in Iran before the Red Crescent Society managed to bring in millions of doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, boosting the vaccination effort. 

Daily Update

The Health Ministry on Saturday registered a further 614 deaths caused by the respiratory illness, pushing the national toll to 105,900.
Over 26,000 people became infected with the virus in 24 hours, bringing the national tally of cases to 4.895 million. 
So far, some 18 million people have received a first dose and 7.5 million have been fully vaccinated. Saturday’s vaccinations took the total number of shots administered to 25.5 million.
Worldwide coronavirus cases increased to 216.3 million on Saturday as fatalities from the virus and its mutations reached 4.5 million.