Iran facing 'third wave' of coronavirus with resurgence in infections

Iran is currently dealing with the potential of a third wave of the novel coronavirus, with the number of new daily infections at 3,000 - similar to the numbers for the country back in February.

According to the latest figures announced on Friday by Iran's health ministry spokesman, 141 people had died and 3,041 new cases had been registered in the previous 24 hours.

The total death toll is 23,952, and 28 of the country’s provinces, including the capital, Tehran, are classified as red or yellow on a scale denoting the severity of outbreaks.

Deputy Health Minister Alireza Reisi has attributed the rise in cases to Iranians not abiding by the health measures implemented by authorities.

"It will infect anyone entering its territory, and this is the only thing that is fixed in the world about this virus," Reisi said in a statement.

"Therefore, whenever the level of observance of health protocols decreases, the onset of the disease begins. We have seen many ups and downs in this disease."

Abbas Ali Dorsti, vice-chancellor for health at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, warned that despite Iranians observing 70 percent of health protocols in recent weeks, the increase in travel and non-observance of some protocols might have helped cause infections to be back on the rise.

Alireza Zali, the anti-coronavirus coordinator for Tehran, said forecasts showed the country was "moving towards the third wave of the coronavirus, and it seems the wave will take shape in Tehran much earlier than other provinces", the Guardian reported.

The resurgence of the novel virus comes with worries of the arrival of the influenza season, which coupled with the coronavirus, could lead to even more infections.
Covid-19 ravaging Iran

The Islamic Republic has faced the worst outbreak of Covid-19 in the Middle East since the first cases were reported in February.

The infection rates were on the decline beginning in May, with the imposition of strict lockdown measures.

However, with those lockdown measures being lifted as well as some other restrictions, the country is now reporting a resurgence of cases in most provinces, including the capital Tehran.

Schools and universities have reopened to students, but it has been left to parents to decide whether to send their children to class, and many are keeping them at home.

With some Iranians warning of a new health calamity this winter, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said the health department was trying to assemble an extra 10,000 hospital beds.

The novel coronavirus has infected more than 416,000 Iranians, although the official figures are widely seen as an underestimate.

The crisis comes at a time of increased pressure on the cost of living of ordinary Iranians with crippling sanctions hitting the currency and driving up the price of everyday goods, including food and medicine.