Coronavirus Chronicle in Moldova: An Orange Code

Marina DRAGALIN

The country is witnessing a sharp daily increase in coronavirus infections, with experts predicting that soon Moldova will again have over a thousand new cases per day. The authorities are actively encouraging to get vaccinated, as 92% of cases are unvaccinated citizens

After a seasonal decline, the coronavirus pandemic seems to be gaining momentum again. To date, there are more than 211 million cases worldwide, more than 4.4 million people have died. The number of infected detected per day has been steadily growing for two months (since mid-June) and during this period has actually doubled. At the same time, mortality has almost increased by a third. The worst-affected countries are the USA, India, Brazil and Russia. The latter, for example, sets the record for the number of coronavirus deaths for the third day in a row. A new round of the pandemic is closely related to the virus mutation. The World Health Organization states that geography of the dangerous strains has significantly expanded. Over the past week, the number of countries and territories reporting the presence of highly infectious strains has increased significantly. According to the latest data, alpha is found in 190 countries, beta in 138, gamma in 82, and delta in 148. A sharp increase in the incidence is also observed in Moldova. During the week, the number of cases detected per day has almost doubled. A local upsurge in incidence was registered on Wednesday - 485 new cases. The number of active cases exceeded 2.5 thousand, although this figure did not reach even a thousand at the end of July. The number of patients with severe forms is increasing. More than 24 thousand citizens are under medical supervision. In total, 263.5 thousand people were infected with coronavirus in Moldova, of which 6338 died. Since last Friday, the National Emergency Commission on Public Health has established an orange hazard code in the republic. A red one has already been introduced in some parts of the country. According to Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, the lockdown issue has not yet been considered. “We made sure that the medical system is ready, there are beds and opportunities to deal with the new wave. At the same time, we realize that it is necessary to balance public health and economic interests, so any restrictions will be introduced only if there are no other ways to cope with the wave of diseases,” Gavrilita emphasizes. Current preventive sanitary measures mandate the wearing of masks in all closed public places, including public transport, as well as in open spaces where it is impossible to maintain a physical distance of at least one meter. In addition, the access of visitors to catering and cultural premises is limited: up to 50% of the maximum capacity is allowed, but not more than 250 people. The coordinator of the national vaccination campaign, Ninel Revenco, notes that the daily increase in coronavirus infections is on the rise, and soon Moldova will again have over a thousand cases per day. Mass vaccination remains the most effective way of protection and prevention of new, even more dangerous strains of coronavirus. However, the plan, according to which 70% of the population should be vaccinated by November, now seems unrealizable. Only 17% of citizens are fully vaccinated. “We cannot predict what strains will appear, but there will be many of them. The virus behavior cannot be predicted; it mutates. The "delta" variant appeared not now and not a month ago, but back in November 2020. It came to us because we are still thinking whether to get vaccinated or not,” the specialist says. She also warns that infection may have long-term impacts, much more serious than the possible side effects of vaccinations. “Chronic fatigue is a condition that each of us goes through differently. Another aspect is post-Covid headache. It has been observed that the mental state of children changes. Lung complications appear when a person can no longer breathe,” Revenco notes. 92% of new coronavirus cases are found in unvaccinated citizens. Doctors say that not only does vaccination reduce the likelihood of infection, but it also allows for milder forms of the disease. Of all currently hospitalized patients, no one has been vaccinated. As of today, only about 20% of the population in Moldova is vaccinated against COVID-19. In this context, the healthcare system is preparing for an influx of patients. Hospital chiefs say they are ready for a new wave of infections in terms of equipment and human resources. Moldexpo has three additional sections with 200 beds and 18 intensive care beds. “The total capacity of the COVID-19 center is 340 inpatient beds (for treatment) and 100 beds for triage of patients. Up to 24 intensive care beds will also be available. We have also mobilized additional medical personnel and provided medical equipment, medicines and supplies to new treatment units at the Moldexpo Center,” said Ion Ceban, the mayor of the capital. Tomorrow, August 21, a meeting of the Emergency Commission on Public Health will take place to address further actions to keep the pandemic under control.