The national health authorities anticipate a rise in COVID-19 cases following the increasing inflow of Ukrainian refugees. The director of the National Public Health Agency Nicolae Jelamschi told a news conference that the number of new cases last week decreased by 35%, IPN reports.

The highest number of cases was confirmed in the Transnistrian region. There were recorded 39 import cases, including from Ukraine.

Immunization coverage is 30.66% nationwide. In Chisinau, this is at 45%. The vaccination rates in ATU Gagauzia and in Leova district are the lowest - 18% and, respectively, 20%. 

Nicolae Jelamschi said the Omicron variant can also cause severe forms of disease. Lab tests detected the Omicron variant in 16 severe and critical cases of COVID-19 last week. One of the patients died.

As many as 105 patients are in the hospital with severe and critical forms of COVID-19.