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reported on February 26.
Misinformation by the Iranian government and conflicting numbers has only caused greater panic among the public, which is already distrusting of authorities in the country after recent cover-ups, including the downing of the Ukraine International Airlines​ fl​ ight in January by Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in what was later admitted to be an accident despite a senior Ukrainian arms dealer being onboard.
The Iranian government continues to fight the ongoing spread of the deadly coronavirus, which has claimed the lives of 19 officially and infected some 139 more. However, new data from the US suggest that some 30,000 people could be infected with the virus.
"Twenty-four people were arrested and handed over to the judiciary and 118 (internet) users were talked to and let go," Vahid Majid, head of the cyberpolice unit, said to reporters.
Several journalists are believed to be among those sent to jail; however, their names have not yet been released.
Iranian journalists in several cities have reported that the authorities warned them not to publish unofficial figures inciting panic in the country.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has opened his first Russian language Twitter account, according to MK.RU on January 29. The most powerful cleric in Iran has had several foreign language services via his website, leader.ir for several years, however, it is only in recent months his office has opened other languages including Azerbaijani – which he speaks via his maternal line – and Russian this week.
In his first tweet, the top ayatollah tweeted in Russian “ In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Merciful!” A line from the Islamic daily prayer.
Twitter, Facebook and other popular social media networks are blocked in Iran, but Iranians manage to access the sites via widely available virtual private networks (VPNs).
9.1.7 ​Healthcare sector news
Iran’s health ministry said on March 3 that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Islamic Republic had increased by more than 50% for the second day in a row. It stood at 2,336, it said.​ Many analysts think the figure is much higher in reality. Iran also announced an official toll of 77 coronavirus deaths so far.
A number of senior Iranian officials have contracted the virus. Among the latest is the head of the emergency medical services, Pirhossein Kolivand, the BBC said. Twenty-three of the 290 members of parliament have also tested positive.
Underlining the anxiety over the epidemic that has gripped Iranian society, a March 3 ​Guardian​ ​feature​ described how “little rows of upright matchsticks, stuck in felt, have appeared alongside cash machines and lift doors, offering a chance for Iranians to press the buttons without their fingers touching potentially coronavirus-contaminated metal surfaces. Guides have also appeared on how to attach metal extensions to cigarette lighters for the same purpose, and in public some men no longer shake hands or kiss as a greeting, but instead tap their shoes on one another”. Traffic jams, meanwhile, have reportedly disappeared from Tehran’s crowded streets.
At a tree-planting ceremony to mark World Wildlife Day on March 3, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the public to follow the
44​ IRAN Country Report​ March 2020 www.intellinews.com