Surge in Infections Due to Increased Testing

Minister Hails Iran’s Handling of COVID-19 Outbreak

Date: 07 June 2020 - 22:19

News ID: ۷۹۳۲۱

TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki on Sunday hailed Iran’s handling of the novel coronavirus (COVID1-19) pandemic, saying the country has turned from an importer of medical data-x-items into an exporter despite illegal U.S. sanctions.
He made the remarks in a video conference call to the inauguration of a factory in Markazi Province, which produces Acetaminophen and pharmaceutical raw materials, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Namaki said that Iran saved 700 million euros in the last Persian calendar year by relying on local production of medicine and pharmaceuticals.
"Most importantly, as a sanctions-hit country subjected to oppressive bans, we were able to manage the coronavirus outbreak and within 60 days turn from an importer of medical equipment and necessary data-x-items such as masks into a manufacturer and later an exporter,” he said.
"This is another sign of great honor that will shine in the history of the country, which at the height of the sanctions, was able to get itself together in less than two months and turn into an exporter of masks, medicine and disinfectants,” he added.
Iran has been among the countries hit hard by the coronavirus that first showed up in China in late December 2019 before spreading across the globe.
Inhumane U.S. sanctions have hampered the virus battle in Iran, which reported its first COVID-19 infection cases in late February.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday the virus outbreak would remain for a long time, warning that people still needed to follow health protocols.
On Sunday, Iran’s Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour reported 2,364 new infections and 72 deaths from the virus over the past 24 hours.
In total, 171,789 Iranians have contracted the disease and 8,291 have died, he said, adding 134,349 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital so far.
Iran’s health ministry also said a surge in new reported coronavirus infections was due to increased testing rather than a worsening outbreak.
After hitting a near two-month low in early May and a lifting of tough movement restrictions, cases of the COVID-19 illness have been risen in some provinces.
"The main reason for rising numbers is that we started identifying (infected people) with no or light symptoms,” said Muhammad-Mehdi Gouya, the health ministry’s head epidemiologist.
He added that the gradual easing of lockdown measures had also contributed to higher infections "which has more or less happened all over the world”, ISNA news agency reported.
Authorities have progressively lifted restrictions imposed to tackle the virus, and activity has almost returned to normal in most of the country’s 31 provinces.
Jahanpour said the situation had steadily improved with fewer hospitalizations, critical cases and deaths.
"It is only normal for infections to slightly grow after re-openings,” he said in televised remarks.