DUBAI: Iran’s health minister warned on Saturday of a fourth COVID-19 surge with the possible spread of a mutated virus in the worst-hit country in the Middle East.
President Hassan Rouhani told state television “alarm bells were ringing for a fourth coronavirus wave” as at least nine cities and towns in Iran’s southwest were declared high-risk “red” zones after a rise in cases on Friday.
“Hard days are beginning for us and you must prepare to fight the most uncontrollable mutated virus which is unfortunately infecting the country,” health minister Saeed Namaki told heads of medical colleges in a meeting carried live on state TV.
Namaki said Iran’s three first deaths this week from the virus variant first found in Britain – including that of a 71-year-old woman with no history of travel – suggested that the virus was spreading and soon “may be found in any city, village or family”.
Namaki urged Iranians to avoid gatherings in order “not to turn weddings…