Members of the Operational Headquarters for prevention of the spread of coronavirus discussed today the measures to contain the increase in the incidence of COVID-19. The President proposed to repeat the already successfully tested practice of two-week separation of children's groups, considering that the number of carriers of coronavirus among schoolchildren (mostly middle-level students) is increasing. We are talking about extending the upcoming vacation period. Vadim Krasnoselsky considers it expedient to leave schoolchildren at home from March 15 to April 1, thereby extinguishing the outbreak of childhood morbidity. The final decision will be made in the course of the Operational Headquarters meeting next Thursday. 45 classes of schools and 12 groups of kindergartens have been quarantined in Pridnestrovie to date.
1601 carriers of the infection are currently registered in the republic in total. 904 of them are being treated in inpatient conditions and only 646 at home, said Vadim Krasnoselsky, emphasizing that citizens trust doctors and increasingly prefer hospital care. The bed fund of infectious diseases hospitals is being actively filled. Now the hospital network is more than half loaded. Taking into account the growing dynamics, it was decided to re-deploy a branch on the basis of the capital's hospital of veterans. It is designed for 120 patients. The number of beds will be increased to 160 if necessary. The President recalled that other healthcare facilities previously involved in the COVID-19 prevention and treatment system should be fully prepared to be included in anti-coronavirus work. In addition, the President once again drew attention to the requirement for immediate hospitalization of patients undergoing home treatment in the event of deterioration in their health.
The prospects for vaccination of Pridnestrovians were also discussed at the meeting. A batch of humanitarian aid from the World Health Organization will soon arrive in the republic - 1810 doses of Astra Zeneca. The PMR Ministry of Health is ready to accept vaccine that does not require special storage conditions (a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees is sufficient). The staff is prepared for the vaccination. Vadim Krasnoselsky told the meeting participants that there are agreements regarding the Russian vaccine. According to him, 70000 doses of Sputnik V are expected to be delivered in two stages. Citizens will be vaccinated exclusively at will. The priority is for doctors, teachers, military personnel, as well as elderly people who are at risk. Which vaccine is preferred will be decided by the Pridnestrovians themselves.
Members of the Operations Headquarters discussed other issues directly related to upcoming vaccination of the population. They talked for example about the possibility of free crossing the border during the pandemic by vaccinated citizens. The chief sanitary doctor of the republic considers this permissible - if there is a document confirming the completion of the full course of vaccination. The mechanism is being worked out. The President emphasized that a clear system of registration and control is needed.
