- While local regime officials acknowledge the severe shortage of health care facilities and the high cost of equipment, including masks, Rouhani claimed, many health services have been provided to the public for free. Compare with other countries to see how much they charge in cash to fight the Coronavirus, he said.
- Alireza Zali, head of the National Coronavirus Combat Taskforce (NCCT), in Tehran: Some restrictions should continue in the fall. Students’ physical presence in schools may be limited. This fall will be the most challenging autumn.
- Vice president of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences: In the last six months, 2,500 people have died of coronary heart disease in the hospitals covered by this university (excluding Kashan, Aran va Bidgol). For two weeks, the number of hospitalizations was 800 to 900 but increased to 900 – 1000 in the past five days. There is a possibility of an exponential rise in the outbreak in September. The medical staff are exhausted, bonuses and overtime pay for doctors and staff are overdue for 14 and seven months, respectively… The main problem apart from fatigue is that we have no concentration on disease management. (ISNA, August 19)
- The spokesperson for the Health Ministry: The situation in Mazandaran is still problematic and fragile. All cities in the Province except one are red
The People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) announced on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, that the number of Coronavirus fatalities in 394 cities across Iran had exceeded 91,200. The number of victims in Khorasan Razavi is 6,534, Khuzestan 6,259, Mazandaran 4,333, Isfahan 3,996, Gilan 3,831, Lorestan 3,762, Sistan and Baluchestan 2,926, Alborz 2,695, East Azerbaijan 2,653, Golestan 2,645, Fars 2,573, Hamedan 2,339, Kermanshah 2,185, Kurdistan 1,824, and Hormozgan 1,199.
In Tehran, Alireza Zali, the head of the NCCT in Tehran, told the state-run daily, Hamshahri, today, “Some restrictions should continue in the autumn, and the physical presence of students in schools may be limited. The population of Tehran Province is close to 14.8 million. This population density distinguishes Tehran from other provinces. For example, in the Baharestan region, southeast of Tehran, we see a substantial population density that can face serious challenges in the field of health and treatment. The highest number of people living in slums is in Tehran Province, which proved itself more than before during the Coronavirus pandemic. One million people enter Tehran daily from neighboring provinces and leave the city at the end of the day, a population that can significantly contribute to the spread of the virus. About 40% of citizens of other countries reside in Tehran, 50% of which reside in Tehran illegally and do not want to go to medical centers if they are infected. Garbage collection, child labors, and drug addicts are other dangerous components in Tehran. We have worrying autumn ahead of us, the most difficult in our contemporary history.”
Meanwhile, the national university entrance exam started today and will last for another four days. Eyewitness reports show that contrary to all previous promises and statements, the regime has not provided the minimum necessary means to implement the health protocols and maintain physical distancing. There is a severe threat to the spread of the disease, and the students are being sent to the Coronavirus killing ground.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
August 19, 2020
