Regional headquarters for combating the spread of COVID-19: in the Vitebsk region, 1.4 thousand beds are provided for patients with pneumonia and COVID-19
According to the head of the main department for healthcare, the region is experiencing a 2.7% increase in the spread of acute respiratory infections compared to last year. A trend of increasing incidence of coronavirus infection has been observed since September. "This is expected, we are smoothly entering the second wave," stated Mikhail Vishnevetsky. He emphasized that medical institutions and healthcare workers are ready to go through it.
"Based on the main hospitals of Vitebsk and large cities, 1.4 thousand beds have been deployed for patients with pneumonia and COVID-19, including reserves, which is 20% of the bed fund that can be repurposed for these purposes. This is enough to function in a calm mode. If necessary, we will deploy more," said the head of the department.
He noted that the peculiarity of the second wave in the northern region is the uniform incidence. About 40% of all cases are in Vitebsk, 30% in Orsha, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, and the same amount in the districts.
Currently, the situation is completely under control. There is a sufficient supply of medicines in every healthcare institution. 1732 oxygen support points are provided, which is twice as many as during the first wave, although they were not fully utilized even then. A diagnostic department has been created in Vitebsk to streamline the logistics for hospitalizing severe patients from all districts of the region. Six laboratories are operating in normal mode, conducting PCR tests. About 1.2 thousand tests are performed daily. "This is enough to get results on the same day (sometimes up to a day and a half). If it is necessary to increase the number of tests, we have an agreement to involve additional laboratories in this work. Along with this, there are express tests for diagnosis, as well as clear criteria defined by the Ministry of Health for establishing a diagnosis," added Mikhail Vishnevetsky.
During the headquarters meeting, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, emphasized the need to observe social distancing measures and self-discipline. "Fear during the first wave of coronavirus infection disciplined people. It disappeared during the summer period, and many became somewhat irresponsible towards their own health and the health of others. We see how few people are using personal protective equipment, antiseptics, and masks today. It should be understood that autumn and winter are ahead, not the summer period. Therefore, how prolonged this period of illness will be largely depends on the self-discipline of each person," the head of the region stressed.