Reporting by PMOI/MEK
Iran, March 18, 2021—Over 233,600 people have died of the novel coronavirus in 522 cities checkered across all of Iran’s 31 provinces, according to reports tallied by the Iranian opposition People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) as of Thursday afternoon local time, March 18. The official death toll declared by the regime stands at 61,581 around a third of the actual figure.
The coronavirus death toll in various provinces include: 54,536 in Tehran, 15,260 in Razavi Khorasan, 15,170 in Isfahan, 13,159 in Khuzestan, 9965 in Mazandaran, 9823 in Lorestan, 9218 in East Azerbaijan, 8251 in Gilan, 6892 in Fars, 5793 in Alborz, 4808 in Markazi (Central), 2877 in Ardabil, 2644 in Qazvin, and 1744 in Kohgiluyeh & Boyer Ahmad. This is in addition to reports obtained from other provinces.
Infographic-PMOI/MEK reports over 233,600 coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths in Iran
Deans of Medical Sciences universities across Iran issued a letter warning about the increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases. “Although medical professionals are fatigued, the limitation in our capacity and shortage of medical equipment are concerning. If the number of new patients increases significantly in numerous parts of the country, we will not be able to cope with such a development and there is a grave threat awaiting us. A humanitarian catastrophe can engulf the country,” the letter reads in part, according to a Thursday report wired by the Tasnim news agency, an outlet linked to the regime’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force. “Considering the country’s circumstances, we are expecting serious decisions to be made in firm nature and at a higher speed, and for these decisions to be implemented into action,” the letter adds.
A member of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) said on Thursday that most cities in Khuzestan province of southwest Iran are considered red zones. “The government has not lived up to its duties as it should have. I warned the Health and Interior ministers several times to quarantine the red zone cities and have them shut down. Unfortunately, it became business as usual and today we are witnessing a higher number of casualties and an increasing trend of new cases,” this Majlis member said. “Today many of the cities are designated as red zones. However, there are no actions taken. According to the Health Ministry nine in every ten patients being hospitalized have contracted the UK strain. In the city of Dashte Azadegan we are seeing a serious shortage in oxygen capsules. Oxygen-generating devices in our hospitals are not adequate for the patients and our youth losing their lives,” this official continued, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency.
The spokesperson of Isfahan Medical Sciences University said on Thursday, “The number of coronavirus deaths and hospitalized patients in Isfahan has seen an approximate 20-percent increase. Previously, we had 11 cities in yellow state. But now, this number has reached 17, and a number of cities have transformed from blue to yellow state. The total number of hospitalized patients and death of coronavirus patients shows that the conditions are worsening. Some hospitals have increased their capacity to accept more Covid-19 patients. The Sadoughi hospital has increased its capacity and the welfare hospitals are also allocating 150 beds to coronavirus patients.” (Source: IMNA news agency)
The spokesperson of Hormozgan Medical Sciences University reported the second UK-strain Covid death and said on Thursday, “Fifty percent of new cases identified in Hormozgan are the UK strain. Twenty-eight new UK Covid cases were identified and the number of patients with this virus has reached 183. This is worrying, and their diagnosis is only possible through special tests.” (Source: ISNA news agency)
The deputy dean of Kurdistan Medical Sciences University said on Thursday, “On average, 30 percent of Covid patients have contracted the mutated virus and this virus is moving toward overcoming the normal virus and playing the leading role.” (Source: IRNA news agency)
The dean of Southern Khorasan Medical Sciences University reported four new cases of the UK virus and said on Thursday, “The total number of cases of this type of coronavirus in Southern Khorasan province has reached 30.” (Source: ISNA)
Iran coronavirus outbreak death toll interactive map
