Iran Government Reports "12 COVID-19 Deaths"... Denies Claims of 50 Deaths

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] On the 24th (local time), the Iranian government announced that the number of deaths from the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was counted as 12, while suspicions have been raised that the number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the religious city of Qom in Iran alone has reached 50.

According to the Associated Press, Iraj Harirchi, Deputy Minister of Health, stated at a press conference that the number of deaths was 12 and confirmed cases were 61. More than 900 people are currently undergoing infection tests. This is five days after the first confirmed case and death were reported in Qom, Iran's religious city, on the 19th. Qom is the place with the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Before the government announcement, media reports claimed that the number of COVID-19 deaths in Qom alone reached 50, raising concerns that the spread outside China might be faster than expected. Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani, a member of parliament representing Qom, told local media on the same day, "About 10 people die daily from COVID-19 in Qom, and currently, a total of 50 people have died," adding, "COVID-19 occurred on the 13th, but the government only disclosed it on the 19th."

In response, the Iranian Ministry of Health denied the claims, saying, "This is not true at all." Iraj Harirchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, added that the parliament member does not have access to information about COVID-19. Ali Rabiei, government spokesperson, also said, "We will announce nationwide death statistics related to COVID-19," and promised, "We commit to transparent disclosure of the reported information."

Earlier, as COVID-19 rapidly spread, the Iranian government ordered a two-day school closure for most schools. Nationwide, cinemas and museums were closed, and concerts and soccer matches were canceled. Health authorities are conducting daily hygiene inspections on public transportation, including the Tehran subway.