The production of protective masks in Iran has surged to reach nearly 2.5 million per day amid the country’s efforts to battle against the novel coronavirus.
“Domestic manufacturers produced 200,000 respiratory masks per day prior to the coronavirus pandemic. The figure has witnessed an 11-fold rise to 2.3 million per day now to meet the skyrocketing market demand,” Secretary of the Logistic Headquarters of the Industries Ministry for Campaign Against Coronavirus Jamshid Golpour was quoted as saying by Fars News Agency.
“The daily output of N95 masks has also increased from 5,000 to 145,000, registering a 30-fold hike,” he added.
Iran recorded its first coronavirus case on Feb. 19 and according to the latest data released by the country’s health ministry the number of people infected with the virus has amounted to 240,438. Meanwhile, the number of the dead has surged to 11,571.
Golpour noted that the production of medical gloves hovered around 2 million pairs per day before the new virus emerged, which has risen to 4.5 million pairs per day, indicating a 150% jump.
In case of sanitizers and detergents, the official added, domestic companies have increased their hand wash production to 450,000 tons per day, marking a 36% growth compared to the pre-coronavirus period.
"Soap production grew by 33% from 180,000 tons per day to 240,000 tons per day,” he said.
Golpour added that ethanol production has almost doubled during the period from 170,000 liters to 300,000 liters per day.
“Disinfectants observed an eightfold rise from 50,000 liters to 400,000 liters per day,” he added.
The increase in production of medical equipment in Iran comes as the country’s Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade lifted a ban on the export of serology kits, surgical-medical gowns, face shields and N95 facemasks.
Exports of protective medical items, including gloves, gowns and facemasks, as well as other materials, such as alcohol, scrubs, disinfectants, soaps and tissues, were banned as of early March when the country was struggling to meet the surging demand of domestic market driven by the spread of novel coronavirus.
Director General of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration's Export Affairs Division Ali Akbar Shamani has communicated the new directive to customs offices across the country.