Regional Health Department: Vitebsk region to promptly expand bed capacity amid rising COVID-19 incidence

Healthcare facilities in the Vitebsk region are operating normally but have a reserve of hospital beds in case of an increase in the number of patients with confirmed COVID-19. This was reported by the main department for healthcare of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

A slight increase in diseases, including coronavirus, influenza, and other seasonal respiratory infections, is observed in the region. However, the current bed capacity is sufficient for admitting patients with a positive COVID-19 status for inpatient treatment. "All healthcare facilities in the region are ready to expand bed capacity in case of a projected increase in COVID-19 incidence. Data is monitored daily, so everyone will promptly respond to changes in the situation and be able to admit new patients if necessary. Currently, slightly over 9% of the total bed capacity in the region is allocated for patients with coronavirus," the regional health department emphasized.

In Vitebsk, inpatient treatment for COVID-19 is provided in five healthcare facilities: the Regional Clinical Center for Pulmonology and Phthisiology, the Regional Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, the City Clinical Emergency Hospital, the Regional Clinical Hospital, and the Regional Clinical Maternity Hospital.

The regional health department also noted that COVID-19 status testing is conducted according to an updated scheme: alongside PCR tests (performed in nine laboratories in the region), results from SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests are also considered. These tests can be administered at home by a contact tracing team visiting a patient suspected of having coronavirus.

BELTA.