Coronavirus Chronicle in Moldova: Anti-Record Streak

Marina DRAGALIN Despite the state of emergency in health care returned to Moldova, the epidemiological situation is worsening - anti-records for the number of new cases are registered almost every other day, and the prospects for obtaining a vaccine remain vague The new type of coronavirus infection celebrated its "anniversary" on December 8. During this time, it managed to hit all continents and countries. To date, nearly 71 million people have been officially COVID-19 positively tested. The infection and its consequences have already killed nearly 1.59 million people, and death rates continue rising. These days, another world anti-record has been registered and reached the deaths of more than 12.8 thousand people per day. The global mortality rate consists 3%. Over the last months, humanity has been laying high hopes on vaccination in the fight against the pandemic. The parallel development of drugs by different companies through competition increases the chances of getting a working formula as soon as possible. According to the World Health Organization, clinical trials of 52 vaccine candidates are currently underway. The ongoing clinical trials show drugs’ effectiveness in 95%. Russia and the UK, began mass vaccination against coronavirus in December. Israel plans joining them by the end of December. Along with, experts from the World Health Organization are concerned that progress within vaccines development against coronavirus is causing deceptive optimism that the pandemic will soon end. “Progress within vaccines is encouraging for all of us, and now we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, WHO is concerned about the growing sense that the COVID-19 pandemic is over,” WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said. He recalled that in many areas there is a very high transmission rate of the new coronavirus, "which puts tremendous pressure on hospitals, intensive care units and health workers." Ghebreyesus also stressed that despite the fact that "some countries in Europe have managed to take control on virus transmission through strict measures," after their cancellation, it is necessary for the population to follow sanitary standards to prevent a new surge in infections. The WHO Director-General believes that "the pandemic still has a long way to go" and the decisions taken by the authorities and everyone in the near future will determine the way the virus will behave "in the short term and when the pandemic is to end." Separately, the head of WHO stressed the importance of equitable vaccine distribution in the world. For this is to be used COVAX – the international mechanism of access to vaccines. To date, 189 states have joined it. Medical and social workers will be the first ones to receive the vaccine. Then, as vaccine production grows, it will be provided to 20% of the population to reach high-risk groups. COVAX has already procured 700 million doses of three vaccines. In 2021, it is planned to use additional funds and provide at least 2 billion doses of effective vaccines. Moldova plans to receive the vaccine within the framework of the global COVAX initiative. The corresponding request has already been sent and when safe vaccines appear, our country will be able to receive them free of charge to vaccinate 20% of the population. These will be citizens from risk groups: medical and social workers, teachers, law enforcement officers, people over 65 and patients with chronic diseases. Given the epidemiological situation in Moldova, the vaccine is needed as soon as possible. Almost 123 thousand people have already been infected in the country, more than 30 thousand residents are under doctors’ supervision. The epidemic has already claimed the lives of 2,500 citizens. The incidence rate is increasing: this week, the number of new cases once again set a "record" and reached 1,766 cases. Moreover, this is no longer the peak but a completely familiar value. This indicator first went beyond the 1700 mark at the end of November and in the first ten days of December fell below only a few times. It will not be possible to attribute such dynamics to an increase in the number of tests. On Monday, Moldova set another "record": almost 60% of the tests made that day were positive. This is the first time for more than half of the tests being positive. And this is an extremely alarming statistic. Moldova, even having usually up to 30% of positive tests, was leading in Europe, where on average this figure is several times less and does not exceed 10%. The difficult situation within the health care system does greatly complicate things. We are running out of beds, medicines, and most importantly - doctors, whose strength is running out. According to statistics, 13% of those infected are healthcare system employees. If earlier they counted how many doctors got sick, now they count how many of them have not yet become infected. Obviously, Moldova cannot cope on its own and development partners come to the rescue. In particular, the authorities began negotiations on a grant Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the International Development Association on additional funding for Emergency Response to COVID-19 project. As part of this document, the World Bank will provide a $ 3.48 million grant to limit the pandemic effects. Funding will be provided to increase testing and laboratory support, purchase mobile X-ray diagnostic systems and train healthcare professionals. A return to the state of emergency will, for sure bring positive results in containing the disease. However, in contrast to restrictive measures, people continue to cram into public transport, gather for the holidays and sabotage personal protective equipment. The rallies that took place in Chisinau deserve a separate mention - their "covid" effect will obviously be clearly visible in the coming weeks. In this context, it is not yet necessary talking about prospects for improving the epidemiological situation and decreasing the coronavirus crisis severity.