Disease incidence continues to grow in capital, other regions remain stable — Giniyat

At the regular session of the Government held in Ukimet Uyi, the issue of sanitary-epidemiological situation was considered. Minister of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat presented a report on the subject.

The global incidence of coronavirus infection continues to increase and the Omicron strain remains the dominant variant circulating worldwide, accounting for 95% of the samples tested.

"According to official statistics, since the beginning of the pandemic, 1 million 400 thousand people have fallen ill with coronavirus infection and we have experienced five morbidity rises. Since June 20, another rise in the incidence of the disease has been observed in the republic. Over the past two weeks, the number of infected people has increased by 3.2 times. During the past 24 hours, there were 2,021 cases of COVID-19+ and one case of COVID-19- registered and no fatalities," the Minister of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat said.

Given the properties of the circulating Omicron variant, the Ministry since July 15, 2022, updated the current matrix, replacing the indicator of disease incidence by an indicator of bed occupancy per 100 thousand people.

The Minister of Healthcare reported that, according to the assessment matrix, today Nur-Sultan city is in the yellow zone, the Republic of Kazakhstan and other regions are in the green zone.

Growth in the incidence of coronavirus infection in the Republic of Kazakhstan has been observed since mid-June, the largest increase in the disease in six regions of the country where over the past two weeks the disease incidence has increased by 5.0 times or more, including by 8.2 times in Aktobe region, 6.7 times in West Kazakhstan region, 6.4 times in Karaganda region, 6.3 times in Pavlodar region, 6.1 times in Akmola region, 5 times in Kostanay region.

As the Minister said, the second group where the incidence increased from 3 to 5 times include 5 regions of the republic.

Increase in the incidence up to 3 times is noted in 6 regions of the country. There has been stabilization of epidemiological situation on COVID-19 for the last week in Almaty city.

"All over the world another wave of COVID-19 is caused by a subvariant of the Omicron VA.5 strain, which, according to the results of a genetic study conducted in the country in July of this year, was established in 70% of the examined samples. This variant is characterized by high contagiousness and has a much lighter course than the Delta variant. This is also confirmed by the fact that more than 94% of patients are treated as outpatients", said Azhar Giniyat.

When analyzing patients receiving inpatient treatment, it was found that 36% are children under 18 years old, 64% are adults, and 52% of those who fall ill are those who have comorbid chronic diseases.

"I would like to note that compared to last year, the number of ambulance calls with suspected COVID-19 has decreased by 3.7 times, this figure also indicates a mild course of the disease," said the head of the Ministry of Healthcare.

Today the employment of infectious disease beds is 30%, or 1,500 patients, intensive care beds 7% — 47 patients.

The head of the Ministry of Healthcare also noted that the allocation of hospital beds is carried out online.

"An interactive map of bed fund movement allows to make an online assessment of the situation in the context of the regions to the level of medical organizations and take rapid response measures. The map will be available to akimats and health departments, which will allow them to make appropriate decisions," said Giniyat.

Also, the Ministry, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection and to take timely anti-epidemic measures, constantly conducts staff meetings with the regions to assess the situation and to take measures aimed at stabilizing the situation.

In addition, in order to inform the population, briefings and media appearances are held, including those with the participation of leading medical experts.

"The readiness of medical organizations in COVID-19 is ensured constantly. Today in 189 medical organizations there are more than 5,000 beds, 620 resuscitation beds, more than 20,000 beds in the reserve. At the primary care level, medical assistance is provided by 5,700 organizations and about 2,400 mobile teams, and more than 1,000 in rural areas. There are 1,610 mobile teams in reserve," said the Minister of Healthcare.

The Minister said that 80% of infected people are unvaccinated or were vaccinated six months ago, which once again proves the necessity for timely revaccination against COVID-19.

Summing up, Giniyat said that the revaccination of the population continues in the country, to date more than 5 million people have received revaccination, which is 68% of the population to be vaccinated.

Given the update of the epidemiological situation assessment matrix, the Ministry of Healthcare revised the restrictive measures by zones and approved by the Interdepartmental Commission. Thus, in the green and yellow zones the restrictive measures are aimed at localizing the source of infection and without limiting the activities of business facilities, such as strengthening the sanitary and disinfection regime at facilities, it is recommended to wear medical masks in public places, public transport.

Restrictive measures in the red zone in accordance with the load on the healthcare system will be taken in two stages.

First stage: the average bed occupancy from 25.0 to 50.0 per 100,000 population, R>1:

- no restriction on business activities;

- mandatory use of medical masks in enclosed spaces, in all types of transport.

At the second stage: the average bed occupancy of more than 50.0 per 100,000 population, regardless of R:

- mandatory use of the Ashyq application at the facilities;

- limiting the occupancy rate of business facilities associated with holding mass events to 50%.

- introduction of additional restrictions in educational organizations;

- transfer of 30% of employees of organizations to remote form of work.

The introduction of restrictive measures in the red zone depends directly on the commitment of businesses and the population to preventive measures.

According to the Minister of Healthcare, in the city of Nur-Sultan, which is located in the yellow zone, a number of mass events are held with a large number of people indoors, while the recommendations to wear medical masks and social distance are not respected, which could lead to further spread of infection in the capital.

"To ensure the stabilization of the epidemiological situation and, accordingly, the work of business entities without restrictions, I once again appeal to business entities on the need to comply with the sanitary and disinfection regime at facilities, to ensure public safety when receiving services," the head of the Ministry of Healthcare Azhar Giniyat summarized her report.

 

 

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