Regional Headquarters for Combating the Spread of COVID-19: on the phased return of medical institutions to normal operation, conducting tests for coronavirus antibodies

The number of patients with pneumonia requiring inpatient treatment is decreasing in the Vitebsk region, which in turn allows for the repurposing of hospital beds for the further provision of specialized medical care in normal operation. This was reported by the regional headquarters for preventing the import and spread of cases and protecting the population from infection caused by COVID-19.

Thus, from May 8, the contact center based at the Lyottsy sanatorium, where first-level contacts were monitored and patients with pneumonia were treated, ceased to function. From May 15, the surgical building of the regional oncology dispensary resumed its work in providing oncological care. From May 25, the regional center for psychiatry and narcology returned to its specialized patients. In the near future, several departments of the regional hospital, repurposed for the treatment of patients with pneumonia, will also switch to normal operation.

In all central district hospitals of the Vitebsk region, beds are provided for medical care to patients with pneumonia and coronavirus infection. Depending on the evolving epidemiological situation in the regions, decisions are promptly made to increase their number or reverse repurposing.

As of May 25, about 5,200 express tests for COVID-19 antibodies have been conducted in hospitals and polyclinics in Vitebsk.

Currently, they are performed centrally in healthcare institutions to monitor patients and first-level contacts in order to manage the epidemiological situation. Subsequently, those who suspect they have had a mild form of this infection will be able to undergo testing for the past illness.

Laboratory testing by PCR for coronavirus is organized in 8 laboratories. A total of 55,719 laboratory tests have been performed.

On average, about 1,600 samples are tested per day.