IRAN
Iran prepares to test ‘tens of thousands’ for COVID-19 as cases spike
By Jon Gambrell The Associated Press
Posted February 29, 2020 7:54 am
Iran is preparing for the possibility of “tens of thousands” of people getting tested for the new coronavirus as the number of confirmed cases spiked again Saturday, an official said, underscoring the fear both at home and abroad over the outbreak in the Islamic Republic.
The virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes have killed 43 people out of 593 confirmed cases in Iran, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said. He disputed a report by the BBC’s Persian service citing anonymous medical officials in Iran putting the death toll at over four times as much.
But the number of known cases versus deaths would put the virus’ death rate in Iran at over 7 per cent, much higher than other countries. That’s worried experts at the World Health Organization and elsewhere that Iran may be underreporting the number of cases now affecting it.
https://globalnews.ca/news/6612991/iran-coronavirus-testing/
HONG KONG
Public hospitals daily update on COVID-19 cases
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
As at noon today (February 29), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 48 patients (18 male and 30 female, aged 13 to 99) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.
There are 116 patients under isolation currently. So far, 33 patients who had COVID-19 infection have been discharged upon recovery.
The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202002/29/P2020022900573.htm
Where is Iran getting ‘tens of thousands’ of testing kits?