Iran: Highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases reported October 7 /update 37

Event

On Wednesday, October 7, Iran's Health Ministry announced the highest 24-hour increase in cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since the beginning of the pandemic. A total of 4151 new cases were reported nationwide in the previous 24 hours, in addition to 227 associated deaths. The latest tally brings Iran's total number of confirmed cases to 479,825 with 27,419 associated deaths.

Authorities in Iran have closed public institutions in Tehran between Saturday, October 3, and Friday, October 9, due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Until Friday, schools, places of worship, libraries, museums, theaters, gyms, cafes, reception halls, swimming pools, and hair salons will remain closed. Friday prayers and other religious gatherings will also be prohibited. Authorities indicated that they will increase the enforcement of current measures in order to lower infection rates.

All large gatherings are banned nationwide as of October 3, including funerals and weddings. Wearing face masks in public is also mandatory.

Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.