Working discussion with members of the Operational Headquarters

The information from the WHO regarding increase in the incidence of coronavirus in 26 European countries was discussed in the course of the meeting of the Operational Headquarters. The largest – 100% increase was observed in Hungary. The number of infected people increased by 60-80% was registered in the neighboring states of Pridnestrovie. The virus began to spread more actively on the territory of the PMR. If a week earlier the average daily incidence rate was 82 cases, then last week an average of 127 cases of COVID-19 infection were detected daily. The hospital bed capacity is proportionally increased. There are now hospitals in Tiraspol, Slobodzeya, Bendery and Rybnitsa. The latter is full, so the Dubossary hospital will start accepting patients today. It is designed for 150 people. In total, the republic's hospital network, if necessary is ready to receive 2935 infected citizens with inpatient treatment.

The President asked about the provision of specialized healthcare facilities with medicines, protective equipment and tests to determine the presence of coronavirus in the body. According to the Minister of Health Christina Albul, everything necessary for high-quality treatment of this category of patients is in abundance. Reserves are replenished in a timely manner. Delivery of 50000 antigen tests is expected. Medical oxygen is also enough. Its consumption has increased to 187 cylinders per day.

The PMR President was interested in whether his instructions regarding the early start of the heating season in medical institutions were fulfilled. The Minister of Economic Development Sergei Obolonik reported that, according to the applications, heat has been supplied to the healthcare facility today. The President focused on the issue of nutrition in hospitals, recalling that it must be of high quality. He also spoke about the attention that should be given to patients. Special groups will work to monitor the situation, which will include representatives of the Ministry of Health and law enforcement agencies. The practice of inspection rounds and personal communication with patients of infectious diseases hospitals is not new. It was introduced by the President. Today he instructed to return, to understand the state of affairs in each individual hospital, it is necessary to find out the opinion of at least a third of the patients, Vadim Krasnoselsky considers. Another presidential instruction in the context of organizing the fight against coronavirus is the resumption of the activities of crisis centers.

The PMR President reminded about his initiative to organize post-sagging rehabilitation. The budget for next year must include the costs of paying for vouchers to the "Dnestrovskie Zori" and "Dniester" sanatoriums for citizens who were hard to tolerate the COVID-19. The Ministry of Health is working on the list of rehabilitation procedures.

As for COVID vaccination: more than a quarter of the adult population of the republic has been vaccinated. A few days ago a batch of vaccine ("Sinofarm") - 7388 doses was received by Pridnestrovie. This vaccine inspires confidence and is in demand among Pridnestrovians. This is the third delivery. The first two totaled 25000 doses. They spoke at the meeting about the effectiveness of vaccination as a tool for the prevention of coronavirus. On behalf of Vadim Krasnoselsky, the morbidity among the vaccinated was analyzed. 231 residents of the republic became infected with COVID-19 after the vaccination course (this is 0.5% of all cases of infection of Pridnestrovians). The disease was mild or moderate in 95% of cases. Lethal outcomes among the vaccinated were not registered.

Taking into consideration that the COVID situation is still unstable and there are prerequisites for its further deterioration, members of the Operational Headquarters discussed some measures that are designed to stabilize the situation or at least prevent the mass morbidity of the population. It was recommended to strengthen control over the implementation of quarantine requirements in public transport and trade and catering establishments. Mask mode, disinfection of the hands of visitors, limiting the number of citizens who are simultaneously in the room (based on the area), the number of passengers of fixed-route taxis not exceeding the number of seats – these are the requirements that are already familiar and have become customary. The main thing is their implementation, Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized. It is not yet recommended to hold corporate events. It is also worth giving up on mass gatherings in closed rooms. Employers will again have to return to the practice of transferring older employees to a remote form of work (if this does not disrupt the production process).