DUBAI—Iranian authorities ignored warnings by doctors in late December and January of an increasing number of patients with high fevers and lung infections in the historic city of Qom, which became the epicenter of Iran’s coronavirus outbreak, according to two health ministry officials, a former ministry official, and three doctors.
When the authorities became aware of domestic cases of the virus in early January, they didn’t announce the news until weeks later, out of concern that releasing detailed information would unsettle the public ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for Feb. 21, according to a senior official with direct knowledge of the matter.
