Moldova is going through a new wave of COVID-19. Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said the number of infected persons has increased and is expected to start to decline at end-August. According to specialists, the next wave could come in October. The authorities recommend wearing protective masks in crowded places, obeying the hygiene rules and getting a vaccine against COVID-19, IPN reports.
On Thursday, the National Extraordinary Public Health Commission adopted recommendations concerning the wearing of masks in public and private health facilities, public transport, shopping centers, grocery and non-grocery stores. Also, it is recommended maintaining a physical distance of minimum 1 meter between persons, obeying the hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene rules and the self-isolation regime by infected persons on one’s own responsibility. The Ministry of Health said harsh restrictions will not be imposed for now.
“We have witnessed a rise over the past four weeks. If we look at the situation in EU member states that already overcame this wave, we see that it lasted for a month and a half and for two months. We now have 155 infected persons per 100,000 people. The rate is low compared with the European average. We realize that the number of infections is higher as many people do not go to see a doctor. Only one of the family members, who needs certificates or argumentation, goes to see a doctor and does a test. In most of the families, all the members become infected as the virus is very contagious. Judging by the example of other countries, a decline in the number of new cases will be seen at the end of August, but a new wave could come in October,” Ala Nemerenco stated in the talk show “Black Box” on TV8 channel.
The minister noted that those infected most of the times develop mild forms of disease, but this does not mean that vaccination should be excluded. On July 25, the booster 2 dose started to be administered. It is recommended having such a dose in four months of the first booster dose.
“High contagiousness, but mild forms of disease are typical of the Omicron variant, which also underwent changes. In the country, we have 80 patients who are in a more serious state. Thirty of them were put on a ventilator. As to vaccination, the number of vaccinated person has grown on account of those who got the first dose only now. Those who had been vaccinated should get the booster dose so as to gain immunity. Studies show that as in the case of flu, immunity lasts for 9 to 12 months on average,” said Ala Nemerenco.
According to the Ministry of Heath, 5,793 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Moldova during July 18 – 27, an increase of 72.7% on a week before.
