The Republic of Moldova is going through a new wave of COVID-19 that is expected to last until mid-August, IPN quoted Nicolae Jelamschi, director of the National Public Health Agency, as saying in a news conference.

According to the official, the number of new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Moldova last week was 1.8 times higher than a week before. The number of imported cases also rose, the virus being brought from tourist resorts of Turkey, Italy, Romania, Spain, Germany.

The highest incidence rate was recorded in Chisinau (118 cases per 100,000 people), Ialoveni (59) and Anenii Noi (56).

Nicolae Jelamschi noted that the Republic of Moldova is at the end of the European rankings by the number of cases of COVID-19. The rankings are topped by Greece, Italy and France with over 100 cases per 100,000 people.

The COVID-19 vaccination rate in Moldova remains rather low – 31.4%. The immunization coverage in the capital city is the largest, of 45%. Chisinau is followed by Soroca district with a rate of 34%. The vaccination rates in ATU Gagauzia and Ialoveni district are the lowest. About 3,000 children have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Moldova so far.

Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said that a meeting of the commission of experts will be held on July 13 to decide when the second booster dose (fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose) will start to be administered in Moldova. The vaccination with booster 2 is recommended to persons older than 60 and to those who suffer from chronic diseases. It should be administered in at least four months of the administration of booster 1.