Coronavirus Chronicle in Moldova: New Anti-Records and WHO’s Gloomy Forecasts

Marina DRAGALIN The epidemiological situation in the country is devastating. Incidence rates are setting new anti-records, and the COVID-19 virus has become the second most common cause of death. Unfortunately, according to WHO experts, the worst is yet to come The past few weeks have witnessed a gradual coronavirus situation worsening around the world. Even if no sharp jumps, the trend in the incidence growth is very clearly seen. To date, nearly 122 million people have been COVID-19 positive tested; out of them 2.7 million have died. One of the most difficult situations is in Europe. Many countries on the continent are maintaining restrictions and introducing new protective measures. The decisions authorities have taken are not always supported by the population. Suffice it to cite as an example the riots and demonstrations taking place in the Netherlands. Population’s immunization was expected to help stabilize the situation. However, despite the vaccination is ongoing for several months now, it is not yet possible talking about a herd immunity development. It is not only the results that are criticized, but the process itself. According to the first deputy head of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, the vaccination strategy against coronavirus the European Union has chosen was wrong. The European official said that mistakes were made when ordering vaccines, since the interests of rich countries were first of all taken into account. The 5 countries’ governments - Austria, Bulgaria, Latvia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic - sent an official letter to Brussels demanding to hold a meeting on equitably distributing vaccines, for example, in proportion to the population. In addition, they believe that the current mechanism when individual states can directly conclude contracts for vaccines supply with manufacturers is ill-conceived, as other countries may not have enough drugs. Coronavirus vaccines supply on the market is already extremely limited. Lack of clarity about the AstraZeneka drug’s safety and the political factor within Russia's Sputnik V registration reduce the already small opportunities for vaccination and the access to it. Unsurprisingly, some EU countries, notably Poland and France, call for halting vaccines export from the European Union. Together with, the vaccination process is underway and the EU is deciding on issuing documents for immunized citizens. Yesterday, March 17, the European Commission presented a draft digital certificate of vaccination against coronavirus infection. The document will be needed to facilitate the safe free movement of citizens within the EU. The certificate will contain information about the vaccination given to the EU citizen, data on recovery or negative PCR test. It is expected that the electronic document will be introduced into use by mid-June and will have a beneficial effect on the tourism industry. Negative trends within the epidemiological situation development in Europe are clearly manifested in Moldova as well. Since the beginning of February, the country has seen a constant increase in morbidity, that got also aggravated by an increase in the proportion of patients in serious condition and deaths. In addition, the number of active cases is dramatically increasing. If during the autumn’s wave peak the number of active cases did not exceed 18.5 thousand, then since February this figure has skyrocketed from 6 to already more than 22 thousand. And this is, first of all, a burden for the healthcare system and personnel. The situation can absolutely be called critical. Yesterday, the third anti-record for the number of disease new cases in two weeks was recorded and reached 1916. In total, almost 209 thousand of the new type of coronavirus cases have been identified in Moldova, almost 4.5 thousand of them ended fatally. Only last week, the death rate has increased by more than 30%. According to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health Tatiana Zatic, the COVID-19 virus is the second most common cause of death among the population. Last week, the World Health Organization and the World Bank presented very alarming forecasts as to the epidemiological situation development in the country. According to former Prime Minister Ion Chicu, experts predict a sharp increase in deaths from coronavirus in May-June; it is to reach almost a hundred people per day. Against this backdrop, the Public Health Advisory Board discussed identifying essential and urgent responses to the pandemic. In particular, it was decided to develop and recommend an Action Plan to be implemented at the national level and aimed at combatting the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic. Along with, the situation with vaccination remains quite unclear. First, the drugs available so far are clearly insufficient, and second, only AstraZeneka consignments have reached the republic so far. Moldova is not yet following the example of European countries that have suspended the use of this vaccine, waiting for the EU’s regulator on medicines decision. Quite possible for suspicions about the drug to only increase after today's rumors that one of the citizens vaccinated with AstraZeneka has died, and he allegedly became ill after vaccination. It is also not quite clear as well when and where will take place the purchase of 1 million vaccine doses promised by the government. Against this background, there is more and more talk about returning the lockdown in Moldova. However, there are both opponents and supporters for tough restrictive measures. Some politicians and experts oppose introducing them for economic reasons. Supporters, however, cite the results of last year's quarantine as an example (it reduced the number of infections by about 20%, and the number of deaths by 45%) and argue that the new lockdown will prevent about 50 thousand people getting infected and save more than 1,100 lives. It is difficult to predict which position will win in political circles. However, it can definitely be stated that the upcoming religious and May holidays, traditionally accompanied by mass services and family feasts will throw firewood into the epidemic’s fire.