“Unfortunately, we haven’t reached the ideal point in vaccination of the booster dose, and so far, around 45 million haven’t received the booster dose of the vaccine yet,” Payam Tabarsi stated on Radio Goftogoo.
Radio Goftogoo had interviewed Dr. Payam Tabarsi (a member of the National Scientific Committee of Corona and Head of the Infectious Diseases Department of Masih Daneshvari Hospital) about the Omicron variant’s condition and the opening of schools in the country.
In this interview with "Rozaneh" program, Payam Tabarsi said; “Currently, the toll of Corona outbreak in Iran is on the rise.”
He continued; “Apparently the upward trend of Covid-19 casualty rate will reach its peak by next month.”
“The reopening of schools in the next month – right at the peak of corona - may not be to our benefit, as reopening could increase the severity of the disease,” noted the member of Corona National Scientific Committee Headquarters.
“If coronavirus is steadily rising, Corona restrictions are likely to resume,” he said.
Payam Tabarsi pointed out that most cases of Omicron variant are mild; “Some of those affected by Omicron may think they caught a cold and recover without being in critical condition.”
He stressed; “To prevent the increase of this disease in our country, we have to refrain from further re-openings.”
The head of Infectious Diseases Department of Masih Daneshvari Hospital referred to the effect of masks in preventing Coronavirus infection, and said; “Unfortunately, many people now travel to different places without using masks and they are not dealt with legally.”
“Unfortunately, we have not reached the ideal point in vaccinating the third dose, and so far, about 45 million have not received the booster dose of the vaccine yet,” he added.
Payam Tabarsi stressed that the transmission power of Omicron variant is excessively high; “Various studies indicate that receiving two doses of Corona vaccine is not enough for preventing the spread of Omicron.”
He stated; “Getting the third dose of vaccine and mandatory use of mask are two important ways to prevent the increasing number of Omicron cases in our country.”
The head of the infectious disease department of Masih Daneshvari Hospital emphasized; “Regarding the increasing trend of Corona statistics, the reopening of schools in our country isn’t to our benefit”.
By Sepehr Nasihatgar
