Meeting of the regional headquarters for combating the spread of COVID-19: enterprise operations, charitable account, antiseptic production

"The disease will not disappear quickly, but life and work must go on." Understanding this reality of our time, on April 15, another meeting of the regional headquarters for combating respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, was held.

The situation we observe in neighboring countries and around the world pushes us to this conclusion, said the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev. And, based on this, we must build protection for the population and organize the economy's work to prevent any negative scenarios. Everyone, both authorities and citizens, must clearly understand this to mobilize all forces and capabilities to overcome this difficult challenge.

The Head of the Main Department for Healthcare of the Regional Executive Committee, Mikhail Vishnevetsky, outlined the operational situation. He noted that the incidence of acute respiratory infections in the Vitebsk region continues to decline (-16.8 percent), with a good decrease in cities. Adults constitute 79 percent of its structure, and children – 21 percent. The number of pneumonia cases in Vitebsk is comparable to the number from last week. In the region as a whole, it is gradually increasing, but this is an expected, prognostic level. Each case of pneumonia is now under individual control. The situation with bed capacity is stable, and the incidence is fully under control, concluded Mikhail Leontievich.

The preliminary results of the region's real sector for the first quarter were analyzed in detail. The Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Economics Committee, Anzhelika Nikitina, reported that they are not bad for the current situation. Industrial enterprises in Vitebsk and its districts are operating, with the exception of those that have paused for technical reasons. Those who sent people on leave fulfilled the required volumes in March. The situation is more challenging for public catering, the tourism industry, small businesses, and individual entrepreneurs. Here, the hope is placed on the support measures being taken by the government. The volume of construction and installation works reached 126.7 percent compared to the same period last year. Light industry has improved due to the production of protective items for medical personnel, and OJSC Naftan has achieved good capacity utilization in April. Agriculture has increased by 3.2 percent. The food industry is operating stably, all products are sold, and there are no significant stockpiles. The situation is worse for manufacturers dependent on imported raw materials. A positive growth dynamic is also predicted for April, noted Anzhelika Nikitina.

Taking the information into consideration, Nikolai Sherstnev instructed to review the range of food products, considering the reorientation towards the production of high-revenue items, in order to sell them more effectively in countries under quarantine. Despite the complexity of the epidemiological situation and the importance of treatment and protecting people from infection, he emphasized, it is necessary to keep enterprises operational so that people have money to live on. The Economics Committee needs to monitor the situation and intervene where enterprises are considering reducing the work week or sending people home, even temporarily. It is possible that with targeted government support, such measures will not be necessary.

About other issues. At the meeting, it was stated that 17,315 rubles had been collected in a charitable account opened at the Vitebsk Regional Marketing Center. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee instructed to distribute these funds by decision of the headquarters to finance the most necessary areas. The movement to provide for the needs of healthcare and support medical workers is expanding. The Chairman of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, Vadim Zaryankin, reported that by decision of the city headquarters, similar collections from organizations, enterprises, and citizens will be channeled to the account of the city polyclinic to cover the additional needs of this link of medicine. Since April 14, 14 units of transport from city organizations have been allocated to ensure the work of polyclinic medical staff at home. He also informed about the progress of disinfection of residential building entrances by the housing and communal services (there are 5300 of them). "Gordormost" is responsible for streets, bus stops, and underpasses. Additional disinfectants and six portable sprayers are being purchased for it. The enterprise "Vitmil" is involved in providing meals for medical workers at the expense of its profits and sponsorship funds. Taking into account the initiatives of private entities, the demand for it will be largely met. In addition to pharmacies, household masks have already arrived in city chain stores. The demand of the population for these protective measures is being met. Antiseptics produced at the facilities of the Vitebsk Distillery "Pridvinye" will be supplied to enterprises and organizations of the region that need them to maintain proper sanitary standards, after fulfilling the orders of RUP "Farmatsiya". For now, the infectious disease incidence does not allow for relaxation, and this is not a short-term combat readiness.
 

"Vitbichi".