Within a couple of days since Iran reported fewer than 100 coronavirus cases, the country announced on Tuesday that confirmed CoVID-19 infections have now reached 2,336.
Iran CoVID-19 Cases Surge in a Week
Iran has become one of the top coronavirus hardest-hit countries outside China as Iranian deputy health minister, Alireza Raisi revealed on Tuesday that the country now has over 2,300 confirmed cases, CNN reported.
Roughly a week earlier, Iran only had less than 100 patients. As part of the efforts to assist Tehran in managing the situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) sent eight tons of coronavirus test kits to the country on Monday.
In terms of containment measures, the WHO also sent six teams of epidemiology experts to assist Iranian health providers and physicians in implementing laboratory tests.
Tehran Temporarily Releases Thousands of Prisoners
Iran is notorious for its overcrowded jails but in efforts to prevent further CoVID-19 infections across the country, the government announced the temporary release of 54,000 prisoners who posted bail.
According to BBC, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili explained that the inmates that were released were only allowed to exit prisons after testing negative of the novel virus.
While the country's report of 2,336 infections was announced by the government, some experts believe the figure is much higher. Tehran said CoVID-19 deaths still stand at 77.
23 MPs Test Positive, Tehran Says
Deputy parliament speaker Abdul Reza Misri said on Tuesday that 23 members of the "Majlis" body or parliament have contracted the virus that has killed thousands around the world.
Misri cited an open letter from parliament speaker Ali Larijani to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in his announcement to the press. The letter called on MPs to avoid direct contact with the public in efforts to prevent infections.
Before the announcement on infected MPs emerged, parliament already started suspending sessions last week after a surge in confirmed cases throughout the country.
Talk of Alleged Data Cover-Up Heighten
Over the past few days, talks have been rife regarding the alleged a cover-up that the government has been carrying out regarding the real infection and death tolls in Iran.
Sources revealed last week that at least 210 people have died from the CoVID-19 strain, with most of the victims hailing from Qom as well as the capital of Tehran. Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said at that time that the Iranian government was transparent about official data.
Qom is the city where the first cases of the novel virus emerged last month. A parliament member for the said city also accused higher authorities of not sharing facts about the coronavirus situation in the country.
Fears Spike following Vice President's Confirmation
Accusations and increasing fear came after it was reported that one of the country's vice presidents also contracted the disease.
According to the Associated Press, Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar tested positive of the CoVID-19 strain. She is called "Sister Mary" in Iran and is known globally for her intervention during the U.S. Embassy seizing in 1979.
Iranian Leader Downplays Coronavirus Threat
The biggest news that emerged over the past few days besides Iran's spiking infection numbers was the Supreme Leader's comments on the threats posed by the novel coronavirus that has spread throughout Asia and other countries.
According to the Daily Mail, Khamenei was quoted by the Mehr news agency on Tuesday to have said that the CoVID-19 situation was "not that big a deal." On the same day, he was pictured wearing protective gloves, sparking confusion regarding his statements.
Khamenei's comments also came just a day after Mohammad Mirmohammadi succumbed to the virus. Mohammad was hand-picked by Khamenei as a member of the Expediency Council in Tehran.
Aside from seemingly downplaying the impact of the coronavirus on Iran, Khamenie also reportedly called on his people to cooperate with the authorities' efforts in containing the disease.
Khamenei Green Lights Military Mobility
In response to the growing number of CoVID-19 infections in Iran, Khamenei also gave the thumbs up to mobilize 300,000 military men and volunteers to battle the virus.
Iran remains the hardest-hit country in all of the Middle East.
