Head of the Virology College of the Shahid Beheshti University has said that as long as eighty percent of the population is not vaccinated, reopening the schools and the universities would remain a huge mistake.
Dr. Alireza Naji who is the Head of the Virology College of the Shahid Beheshti University had joined our morning show “Sobho Goftogoo” through a telephone call.
Dr. Alireza Naji told our host that some Iranian cities have entered the sixth wave of pandemy. “The statistics indicate that we’re about to get engaged with the sixth wave and must remain extremely cautious and apply the necessary measures so this wave doesn’t spread across the country.”
While pointing out the reduction of total cases, Dr. Naji said that the citizens have also reduced abiding by the health protocols considerably which has cleared the path for the sixth wave of the virus. He also said that some of the nationwide decisions and reopening are made with such an assumption that the situation is now under control while it’s not. “We’re still facing the high circulation of the virus, while we’re supposed to take some serious steps to reduce it immediately.”
The Head of the Virology College of the Shahid Beheshti University added that every day about ten thousand new positive cases are added to the backlog; “The reopening can speed up the new wave and further deteriorate the situation. We’ve also entered the cold months of the year which will force people to remain inside the closed environments. The Corona Virus doesn’t behave like a containable element.”
He also pointed out the new strains of this virus saying that the new types will intensify the contagiousness of this virus; “It’s a warning sign for us to uphold the protocols diligently and take appropriate measures on macro levels to contain this virus.”
Talking to Radio Goftogoo Dr. Alireza Naji further said that the Delta Plus Variant is taking its toll in many countries across the world. “We’re not living on another planet and have lots of frequent commuters traveling back and forth, so controlling the Pandemic is a difficult target to achieve. Besides the Delta Variant which has spread across our country, we may have other active variants as well.”
Naji stressed respecting the health guidelines and abiding by the protocols, strict measures including timely quarantine of the cities and updating current standards. According to our existing standards, we have a delay of a week or two in dealing with epidemy which is unacceptable. “We need a new horizon in the country. Instead of dealing with the virus, we must be able to anticipate its arrival and also prevent its spread.
Head of the Virology College of the Shahid Beheshti University also said that the new strains of the virus can create sickness even in those who are fully vaccinated; “Despite the Cold season, lengthy quarantines and the medical protocols we’re also facing many other types of respiratory viruses. Many other viruses have spread across our country as well as the other parts of the world which amplifies the importance of influenza vaccines. On the other hand, every sign must be considered as Covid and must be dealt with by a doctor. We must take medications even if the Corona test is negative, and remain quarantined so the flu doesn’t spread.”
He emphasized the importance of inoculation by saying that the new studies indicate that the vaccination can’t stop the infection but can reduce the chances of hospitalization and death cases.
Dr. Alireza Naji told our host that the mass vaccination is not up to the mark and that as long as we’ve not inoculated eighty percent of the population, reopening the schools and the universities and providing the vaccinated citizens with social freedom would remain a big mistake. “Covid has its laws which it implements with force; thus, our negligence is out of the question.”
