Iran May Not Have a Second Wave of COVID-19
The Claim
Iran is experiencing a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.
Emerging story
Despite controversy around the existence of a 'second wave,' according to the Guardian and social media, the Iranian health ministry has reported nearly 3,000 new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, reporting a record high for the past two months. Claims were circulating across the MENA region.
Misbar’s Analysis
Iranian health officials have raised the alarm about a second wave of COVID-19 infections after reporting nearly 3,000 new cases in the last 24 hours.
In Iran, where mosques have reopened in addition to the return of government workers in the field has health officials worried that the restrictions were lifted too soon. However, Iranian officials say the rise in cases is due to people ignoring warnings about attending weddings, funerals, and other events, which they have warned its citizens against doing.
In addition to the new cases, the country also reported 81 new COVID-19 related deaths.
Iranian health minister Saeed Namaki is afraid that a lack of social distancing has led to the new spike in cases. “The slightest negligence can destroy all successes and tarnish our reputation in the international arena,” he said.
While some Iranian leaders have said the strength of the virus was weakening, Namaki claims it has actually become more dangerous.
Many experts have been skeptical about Iran‘s official reported totals related to COVID-19 and said the real toll could be much higher than the currently reported 154,445 infections and 8,778 deaths.
In summary, the data suggesting that Iran’s COVID-19 infections and deaths have risen has been met with conflicting information from the Iranian health minister when compared to official government officials. As such, we label the claim Iran is experiencing a resurgence in COVID-19 infections as “misleading.” An official count would need to be determined in order to verify the claim.
