A sharp increase in infection with coronavirus and community-acquired pneumonia is registered in Kyrgyzstan after the New Year holidays. Almost 350 cases have been detected today. Head of the Health Ministry Alymkadyr Beishenaliev told 24.kg news agency whether the ministry will initiate any restrictive measures.
According to him, employees of the Ministry of Health are working around the clock and the situation is under control.
The official noted that the situation in the republic is not as bad as in other countries, so there will be no restrictions in the near future. «About 80 percent of 348 cases detected in the last 24 hours are a mild form and patient undergo outpatient treatment,» he added.
Ministries/agencies are testing employees for COVID-19. Many people are found to be carriers. They are immediately quarantined.
The Ministry of Health plans to begin such work at schools and universities tomorrow. Teachers will undergo express testing.
«We do this so that the person not to spread the disease further. In addition, we will tighten control over the implementation of the algorithms, which were introduced a year ago: sanitary and epidemiological control (wearing masks, use of antiseptics, social distance) will be strengthened in all educational institutions, shopping centers and so on. We are not planning to prolong school vacations or introduce quarantine. We monitor the situation daily and are prepared for any development,» the minister said.
According to him, the republic independently identifies the strains in Bishkek for about a month.
As of today, there is no Omicron. We are ready for it. Omicron is not as bad as Delta, but it is more contagious than other strains.
Alymkadyr Beishenaliev
He explained the causes of the increase in coronavirus incidence.
«We expected this surge, because we didn’t restrict the New Year’s corporate parties. In addition, the winter vacations began, I visited ski resorts — there were so many people, in shopping centers, too. The incubation period for COVID-19 is 10-14 days. So we can count: if the celebrations began on the twenty-something of December 2021, then there is a growth on January 5-10, 2022,» the official said.
Alymkadyr Beishenaliev shared his forecast. «Last year we controlled the situation when there were 1,500 — 2,000 patients per day, there was no panic. I think that the incidence will not reach such indicators. Inpatient facilities and beds are ready. For example, we already have 400 beds in Bishkek, 400 more beds in the former diagnostic center and 200 beds in City Hospital No. 6, and we have enough medicines for 3-4 months,» he added.
