Covid-19 Cases Climb Past 35,000

The sixth wave of the Covid-19 outbreak driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus pushed the daily tally of infections past 35,000. 
Tuesday’s infection rates were up by 20%, compared to a day earlier, and the highest daily record since late August, ISNA reported.
The Health Ministry also logged 50 mortalities, a 13 % surge compared to one day before, taking the national death toll to 132,500.
The national Covid-19 science committee on Tuesday recommended a two-week cancellation of public events held in schools, universities and other gathering places that can be extended if the pandemic was not under control by then.     
Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that provinces had not been authorized to close down schools and no decision had been made on tightening restrictions. 
“Omicron is spreading… the number of cities placed on red alert have increased to 17,” he warned. 
The Health Ministry administered 523,000 vaccine doses over the past 24 hours, taking the number of total shots given to 132.7 million.