Iran health chiefs fear ‘second wave’ of pandemic

Slow to respond, now regime may be easing virus lockdown too soon

Health chiefs in Iran warned on Sunday of a lethal “second wave” of coronavirus infections amid fears that lockdown restrictions have been eased too soon.

Current preventive measures cannot contain the spread of COVID-19 in Tehran, said virus task force member Ali Maher. “With businesses reopening, people have forgotten about the protocols. Maybe it was too soon.”

Iran has allowed a phased return to work since April 11, and has also reopened mosques in parts of the country thought to be at low risk. But Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour warned of “a critical situation” in the capital and in the southwestern Khuzestan province, with both at the top “red” level of Iran’s color-coded risk scale. Authorities reported 1,383 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, raising the total to 107,630, and the death toll rose by 51 to 6,640. However, officials both inside and outside Iran have cast doubt on the regime’s figures, and believe the real ones are far higher.

Iran was slow to respond to the initial outbreak of the pandemic, especially in pilgrimage sites, which contributed to the spread of the virus throughout the region, especially in Iraq and Lebanon.

Saudi Arabia reported 1,912 new cases on Sunday, taking the total to 39,048, and the death toll rose by seven to 246. Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 4 million people and killed nearly 300,000. In Europe, millions were counting down to the relaxation of strict coronavirus lockdowns on Monday. People in France will be able to walk outside for the first time in nearly eight weeks without filling in a permit, teachers will return to schools, and some shops will reopen. European officials have been emboldened by declining death rates.

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France’s toll of 70 on Sunday was its lowest since early April and Spain’s daily fatalities have dropped below 200.

In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the lockdown would not end yet, and urged people to “stay alert”to the risks. He announced a limited easing of restrictions, allowing people to exercise outside more often and encouraging those who cannot work from home to return to their jobs. “This is not the time simply to end the lockdown,” he said. “Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.”