Iran is in its fifth surge, as multiple parts of the world battle the more transmissible Delta (1617.2) variant, including Myanmar, where deaths reached a new daily high.

Iran re-emerges as Mideast hot spot

Iran's latest surge comes at a risky time, as Muslim communities observe Eid al-Adha, which usually involves celebrations with family gatherings.

Today, the country reported a record 27,444 new cases, topping the previous high from mid-April, according to Reuters. The steep rise in cases prompted a lockdown for Tehran and Alborz provinces, where only essential businesses are allowed to stay open.

Iran is among the countries experiencing a slow vaccine rollout. Only about 2.7% of the country is vaccinated, and country officials have blamed US sanctions for limited supplies of vaccine and medical materials.

In neighboring Pakistan, a surge in Delta activity in Karachi is pushing some hospitals to capacity, with government hospitals full and some private facilities turning away patients, according to Dawn, a newspaper based in the city. Health officials said the variant makes up 92% of sequenced samples and warned that the situation could get worse as people and travel for the Muslim holiday.

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