According to reports, over 600 Iranians have passed away after drinking high-concentration alcohol based on a widespread rumor that drinking pure alcohol was a cure for coronavirus.
In terms of the spread of coronavirus in the Middle East, Iran has reportedly suffered the most severe outbreak, with 62,589 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Along with the news of the deaths related to the rumored alcohol “cure,” 3,000 people are reportedly in the hospital as a result of drinking alcohol. Iranian Judicial spokesman Gholam Esmaili issued a statement on the number of people who were lost to the incident, saying,
“The numbers are very high and are beyond our expectations. Alcohol consumption is not a cure but can be lethal.” Esmaili also urged people not to try out the rumored cure, and noted that “a number people have been arrested.. and we will deal with them decisively.”