Coronavirus in the crosshairs
Readiness of Belarus’ healthcare system for a new wave of COVID-19 and autumn epidemic season was on agenda of the Council of the Republic sitting
Countering the spread of coronavirus infection in the regions and in Minsk was in focus and, according to the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, an authorised representative of the Head of State for the city of Minsk who oversees healthcare matters, Natalya Kochanova, the incidence rate is now growing, including due to the growth of other seasonal diseases. “We should be ready for this. What questions do you have regarding medications, personal protective gear, beds in hospitals and oxygen availability? I’d like you to outline all the questions that may arise,” she addressed those present.
The Chairman of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee and the head the interregional headquarters for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the Brest and Grodno regions, Vladimir Karanik, reported that the situation is under control, “We’ve accumulated the experience which enables us to adequately respond, assess and forecast the situation. Now we are entering the season when the incidence rate of acute respiratory infections, including coronavirus, is rising but has not yet reached last year’s peaks.”
Major efforts are now aimed at continuing vaccination and protecting the most vulnerable categories: the elderly and people with chronic diseases. “I’m pleased that the Grodno and Brest regions have already reached the vaccination targets among healthcare and social protection workers – thus reducing the risk of uncontrolled spread of the infection among the most vulnerable group… In general, we have no prerequisites for the situation to get out of control,” Mr. Karanik added.
In turn, Dmitry Danilov, a Professor of the Infectious Diseases Department of the Belarusian State Medical University, informed that our domestic doctors have gained experience and the level of medical assistance has much enhanced since the onset of the COVID pandemic. However, the structure of morbidity is changing and a new seasonal wave is on the way. “With this in view, we should not relax. I’d especially like to draw people’s attention to the issues of vaccination, mask wearing and social distancing,” he stressed.
