Iran’s deputy health minister and head of the counter-coronavirus task force, Iraj Harirchi, has tested positive for the virus. According to The Associated Press, authorities made the announcement on Tuesday amid ongoing challenges they’re facing to contain the virus.
Following the announcement of Harirchi’s positive results, the United Arab Emirates has banned all flights to and from Iran for the next week.
“All passenger and cargo aircraft traveling to and from Iran will be suspended for a period of one week, and could be up for extension,” the authority said. “The decision is a precautionary measure undertaken by the UAE to ensure strict monitoring and prevention of the spread of the new coronavirus.”
The latest news follows a string of reports about the conflicting coronavirus statistics. Over the last month, there has been concern surrounding the accuracy and transparency of the reported statistics.
As it stands, the Iran Health Ministry claims there have been 61 cases and only 12 deaths, as detailed in a previous AP report.
A lawmaker from Qom, Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani has also refuted the initial claims. He insists the death toll is much closer to 50 people although he’s offered no evidence to support his remarks. During an interview, Farahani shared his opinion of President Hassan Rouhani’s government and Iran’s medical facilities.
“I think the performance of the administration in controlling the virus has not been successful,” Farahani said. “None of the nurses have access to proper protective gear,” Farahani said. “So far, I have not seen any particular action to confront corona by the administration.”
While the vast majority of the fatal cases have occurred overseas, coronavirus has affected other aspects of the world, namely business and the stock market. It has been reported that markets have sunk because of the rapid spread of coronavirus.
All three of the major indexes tanked on Monday following alarming reports about the virus stalling worldwide supply chains, travel, and multiple other industries. However, President Donald Trump insists the situation is “under control.”
“It looks like they’re getting it under control, more and more, they’re getting more and more under control. So I think that’s a problem that’s going to go away, ” Trump said on Tuesday.