Coronavirus Chronicle in Moldova: A New Anti-Record Wave

Marina DRAGALIN Negative trends in the number of coronavirus infection’s cases increase in our country are distinctly visible; that is why, once again Moldova sets alarming anti-records. Global data on the new type of coronavirus infection spread indicate a steady increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths from. Every week, experts register anti-records for the number of new cases in a particular country. To date, nearly 23 million people have “picked up the crown”. The virus claimed the lives of 800 thousand people. The epidemiological situation is in no hurry to normalize and remains difficult in many countries. Among them is Moldova. The coronavirus infection epidemic in our country is also gaining momentum. In total, almost 32 thousand infections have already been confirmed in the country, and more than 34 thousand citizens are under doctors’ supervision. Thus, if July generally showed a picture of relative equilibrium with an increase in the top values for daily cases due to low intermediate indicators, then August made concerns with new anti-records. Only over the past few days, the number of cases has increased by 1.5 thousand. On August 19, a record number of coronavirus infection new cases equal to 626 was announced. This is almost a third of the processed primary tests. The next day, 522 more cases were detected. Prior to that, the maximum number of cases per day was 478 (June peak). The healthcare system is hardly struggling with the tense epidemiological situation. One of the important working areas, the testing, is mainly funded by international assistance. Other areas show a less colorful situation. So, despite the recent bed capacity expansion, hospitals possess limited space for receiving COVID-19 patients. The situation is aggravated by the constantly high number of patients in serious condition connected to mechanical ventilation devices. 921 people have already died of coronavirus in the country. The problem of doctors’ shortage and their fatigue is becoming every day more acute. According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, there are 3.5 thousand medical workers in the country who got coronavirus infected. Most of them recovered, but more than 30 health workers died. Irregular work exhausted the medical staff while the measures taken to support them do not fundamentally change the situation and do not absolutely relief the staff shortage. The healthcare system remains today not only a weak link in the fight against the epidemic but also one of the sources of infection. The situation gets even more difficult because, according to studies, the population does not believe in the danger of the virus, thus does not take sanitary measures seriously. The irresponsible citizens’ behavior significantly complicates the work (already being on the verge) of the health care system and medical personnel. “Last week we made 394 violation reports. This is a lot and suggests that the rules are not being followed. It was found that 93 people, who were supposed to be in self-isolation, deliberately violated quarantine,” Interior Minister Sergiu Golovaci said. There are confirmed cases of group infection after together participating in events. We are talking about the cases in Anenii Noi and Nisporeni. “Those mitigating measures the authorities have taken were not properly perceived by the majority of citizens. Namely, the behavior that we demonstrate, and established norms non-observance contributes to the spread of infection among the population,” Vasile Gustiuc, Deputy Director of the National Agency for Public Health says. Along with the population, economic agents also violate epidemiological requirements. Violations are detected at every fourth facility. Most often, they are associated with the fact that the administration of enterprises does not inspect employees before the working day starts, people are allowed to gather in commercial premises, no protective masks are worn and inappropriate protective equipment is used. “Agricultural markets remain one of the biggest problems. Last week we checked 51 markets, compiled 36 protocols. It should be noted that citizens do not realize that the virus spreads in open spaces as quickly as indoors,” the National Food Safety Agency informed. Due to the vacation period, imported cases have become more frequent. “Over the past 14 days, 44 cases of imported COVID-19 have been confirmed. Most of them are from Turkey or Romania. They were registered with people who came from rest,” the head of the National Agency for Public Health Nicolae Furtuna said. Last week, President Igor Dodon criticized those leaving for the sea in Turkey, noting that the largest number of COVID-19 cases importation originate from this country. At the same time, the family of the head of state himself also went to rest in Turkey. The infection wide spreading preserves Moldova’s external isolation. Many countries, including the European Union, restrict contacts and opportunities for entry into their territory for Moldovan citizens. This, in turn, aggravates the unfavorable population’s economic situation accustomed to foreign earnings and remittances. According to statistics, a quarter of Moldovan citizens earned their living abroad. Despite the fact that it is not yet necessary to talk about epidemiological situation stabilization, the government is in no hurry to return to restrictive measures or change approaches to preventing the infection spread and is limiting to making appeals to citizens to be more responsible. The internal political crisis and the upcoming elections are pulling the attention and resources of political forces away from solving pressing issues in healthcare. In these conditions, there is clearly no reason to hope that the country's leadership will get their hands on a long-term state strategy preparation to combat the epidemic.