An increase in COVID-19 cases was recorded in August in the Republic of Moldova, but deaths were caused not only by the virus, but also by comorbidities. Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said that in the Republic of Moldova, the population is immune to this virus, immunity being obtained both naturally and through vaccination. A new wave of illnesses is forecast for December, when the number of people returning to Moldova from abroad will increase, IPN reports.
About 6,000 cases of COVID-19 were registered last month and the figure was higher compared to the other months. Ala Nemerenco assured that the situation is under control, patients’ symptoms are mild, and the number of hospitalized people is low.
“The clinical picture has become much simpler. Even if we have cases of hospitalization, they take place when doctors want to make sure, where the patient’s situation is more complicated and there are comorbidities. In August we had an increase in cases. It was not an increase specific only to the Republic of Moldova. It was seen everywhere and is explained by the fact that August is the month of holidays. People go on vacation, travel more and there are more flights. Crowding gives the virus an easier route of transmission. In August we registered 6,000 cases, which is not very serious, but it is more compared to other months. We estimate a new increase in December. Trips will intensify as the people travel during the Christmas holidays,” Ala Nemerenco said in the talk show “At 360 degrees” on Radio Moldova.
The official noted that society already has immunity to the virus, which is obtained through vaccination and naturally. The number of people who are vaccinated against the virus is low and this is typical not only for Moldova, but also for other states.
“The number of deaths is very low and this is due not to COVID, but to the comorbidities of the patient. COVID only complicates the situation, especially in cancer patients, who have low immunity, in patients with cardiovascular diseases. COVID exacerbates their problems and this leads to death. We do not have deaths strictly due to pneumonia caused by COVID, as was the case before. We have adjusted ourselves to this virus, although new strains appear. In Romania, the latest sequencing has demonstrated the presence of a subvariant of Omicron. It is good that the same subvariants are kept because we have immunity developed both through vaccination and naturally. Citizens still get vaccinated, even if not in large numbers. From the beginning of the year until now, 6,000 people have been vaccinated,” stated the minister.
Ala Nemerenco explained that since she took office as Minister of Health, no state budget funds have been spent on the purchase of anti-COVID-19 vaccine dozes, syringes for vaccination, PCR tests or rapid tests. The population was vaccinated from donations made by foreign partners and no pressure was exerted on the public budget.