Iran reported record high coronavirus cases yesterday, a day after the health ministry warned the whole country was on red alert amid a ‘third wave’ of surging infections, The ministry registered a record 4,151 new cases over the past 24 hours, a period in which 227 patients died. The worst-hit country in the Middle East, Iran has now reported 479,825 COVID-19 cases and 27,419 deaths from the virus. All of Iran’s 31 provinces are now considered hotspots, with the capital the worst affected city. Tehran entered a partial week-long lockdown on Saturday, with face masks mandatory in public. Mosques, libraries, schools, and public institutions have been closed. Other cities across the country have also reimposed partial lockdowns. Authorities have blamed citizens for the spread of the disease. On Saturday President Hassan Rouhani said only 53 per cent of citizens had observed containment regulations, including wearing masks and social distancing. He threatened fines for non-compliance and warned that anyone who failed to self-quarantine for 14 days after testing positive for the virus would face “the highest punishment”.
