MINSK, 2 April (BelTA) – A total of 254 positive coronavirus patients are currently treated in Belarusian hospitals, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry.
“The number of COVID-19 cases in Belarus has been growing. Most cases are first- and second-level contacts that were traced earlier,” the press service noted.
At present, 254 people who tested positive for the coronavirus are receiving treatment. The majority of them are displaying mild or moderate symptoms. Eleven patients require assisted ventilation. Case conferences involving the country's leading specialists in infectious diseases and intensivists have been held. They described the condition of these patients as stable. Belarus registered four deaths among elderly patients who suffered from multiple chronic diseases that were exacerbated by the coronavirus infection, according to preliminary data.
So far, 46 patients have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital.
A total of 9,299 people are under medical supervision as first- and second level contacts, 1,943 of them are hospitalized.
In order to detect all COVID-19 cases, Belarus started to test not only patients with severe pneumonia, but also those with a moderate form of the disease. In addition to a smear test, samples are collected from the lower respiratory tract, which increases the accuracy of the diagnosis.
At present, Belarus disposes more than 11,000 coronavirus tests from Belarusian and foreign manufacturers. There are nine working laboratories, three more can go operational if needed.
Belarusian hospitals have created the necessary bed capacity. The Healthcare Ministry together with regional executive committees and the Minsk City Hall has approved plans to re-purpose hospitals in view of the unfolding situation and defined routes to transport coronavirus patients as well as first- and second-level contacts.
While setting up extra beds for coronavirus patients, healthcare facilities must continue providing emergency medical services to patients with other conditions in full. None of Belarusian hospitals are neglecting emergency medical services in the current situation, the press service noted.
Temporary limitation of planned medical treatment has so far not affected health-related and demographic indicators.
These measures are meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus with the help of investigating every case, hospitalizing all patients, even those with no symptoms, and their contacts. The measures help prevent a drastic rise in coronavirus cases like in neighboring countries. “The main aim of this work is to identify everyone who might be infected and can be a hazard to their families,” the press service added.
