Coronavirus Chronicle in Moldova: Incidence Keeps Increasing

Marina DRAGALIN

Over the past three days, the number of people infected with COVID-19 in Moldova has increased by almost 15 thousand, and compared to December last year, the incidence increased 15 times in January

The COVID-19 incidence remains high. The number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases in the world last week increased by almost 24 million, which is 10% more than in the previous seven days, and is a new maximum since the beginning of the pandemic. The peak number of the infected – almost 4 million people – was registered last Wednesday, January 26. Mortality has sharply increased – by almost 35%: 63 thousand deaths were recorded. In total, a new type of coronavirus has been confirmed in 389 million people, of which 5.7 million have died. The omicron wave is sweeping the planet, and there are no forecasts of its decline yet. On the contrary, the World Health Organization reports that a more contagious variant of omicron BA.2 have already been recorded in 57 countries. While experts do not explain how BA.2 differs from the already common omicron, but it has been given the name of “invisible variant” due to the fact that it is more difficult to detect by testing. Leading WHO expert Maria van Kerkhove said that there is an increase in incidence with this variant, but there is no evidence that its consequences or course are more severe. In France, more than 500 thousand new cases of infection are registered per day, which the country hasn’t seen during the entire pandemic. The explosive spread of infection is also noted in Germany – over 880 thousand cases were detected there in a week, which is almost one and a half times more than in the previous seven days. In the Netherlands, the daily figure exceeded 70 thousand new cases, despite the fact that in autumn it barely exceeded the mark of 20 thousand. A jump in the incidence was noted in the Czech Republic: 100 thousand more cases were detected in the country in a week than before – about 240 thousand. In Poland, 320 thousand people fell ill in seven days – twice as many as last week. The indicator doubled in Russia as well – over 628 thousand cases were recorded in a week. Despite the fact that in Europe, the incidence mainly continues to grow, the statistics of some countries, where the peak numbers of cases were observed in early January, gives optimistic forecasts. Thus, the incidence rate in the USA has fallen by 1.5 times, and almost half as many new cases are registered in the UK as in early January. The incidence has also decreased in Latin America: in Colombia by almost 50%, and in Argentina by 30%. Against this background, some countries are easing quarantine restrictions, but WHO warns that it is too early to declare victory over the coronavirus – it still mutates. “We are concerned about information in some countries that due to vaccination, the high contagiousness of the omicron strain and the lesser severity of the course of the disease, preventing the transmission of the virus is no longer possible or necessary. We do not call on any country to return to the so-called lockdown. But we call on all countries to protect their people using all the tools available, not just vaccines,” said the head of the organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In Moldova, the COVID-19 incidence is also increasing. From January 24 to January 30, 31,292 new cases were registered, which is 53% more than a week earlier. Compared to December, the incidence has increased 15 (!) times. Over the past three days, almost 15 thousand people have fallen ill. The red danger code is introduced in the country. Against this background, the latest statement by the Health Minister Ala Nemerenco looks very strange that “there is a clear trend towards a decrease” in morbidity, and “an explosion, as in other states, was avoided.” Apparently, 5212 new cases were registered yesterday in some other Moldova. In total, 455 thousand cases of infection with a new type of coronavirus have been confirmed in our country, of which 10,718 have ended fatally. More than 3 thousand people with COVID-19 have been hospitalized in medical institutions, of which almost 200 are in extremely serious condition and 29 patients are on ALV. It is worth noting that this is far from a complete incidence picture in the country. According to experts, citizens deliberately hide the symptoms of COVID-19. Some do it deliberately so as not to get to the hospital, others – because they do not want to take tests or do not consider themselves sick with coronavirus. This is a problem that further complicates the work of doctors. Ambulance specialists say that many patients self-medicate without consulting a doctor and their health is seriously deteriorating. The situation is complicated by the fact that among the sick there is a large part of people involved in the health care system. About 300 health workers across the country get sick with COVID-19 per day. In Gagauzia, the situation has reached the point that new COVID beds and departments cannot be provided, since there is simply no one to work there. The only hope left is that the authorities will really be able to “avoid an explosion”, and the “downward trend” will get tangible in the coming days.