Iran’s coronavirus death toll hits 20,000 as nation braces for more

The mortality figure ticked up to the new milestone just as Iranians prepare for mass religious ceremonies that many fear could further exacerbate the crisis.
Iranian Shiite Muslims beat their chests as they take part in the 'Kharrah Mali' (Rubbing Mud) ritual during the Ashura religious ceremony in the city of Khorramabad, 470 kms southwest of Tehran, on October 01, 2017. "Khrreh Mali" or "Mud Rubbing" is a ritual that is held in the city of Khorramabad every year to commemorate the seventh century slaying of Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein, in which Iranian men roll over in mud and dry themselves by gathering around the bonfires before flagellating the
Iranian Shiite Muslims beat their chests as they take part in the Kharrah Mali ritual during the Ashura religious ceremony in the city of Khorramabad, southwest of Tehran, on Oct. 1, 2017. - ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Iran's death toll from the novel coronavirus had passed the 20,000 mark and confirmed infections passed 302,000, Tehran announced Wednesday, as the government’s pandemic policies continue to spark public criticism.

In a videoconference briefing, spokesperson for Iran’s Health Ministry Sima Sadat Laari said that transmission of the illness is at alarming levels in 26 out of 31 provinces. She also claimed virus has been found to be 10 times more potent than it was in the onset of the outbreak back in February.

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