The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection has announced that samples will be taken to establish if the new Indian variant (Delta) of SARS-CoV-2 is present in Moldova. These will be transmitted to a lab in Germany for sequencing, IPN reports.

“In connection with the surge in infections with the new Indian variant globally, including in the neighboring countries Romania and Ukraine, we call on the citizens of the Republic of Moldova to show increased vigilance and to strictly obey the COVID-19 prevention and control measures. We also call on the citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the vaccine has increased efficiency also against the new variant,” said the health authorities.

According to the Ministry, it is further necessary to wear a mask in closed areas, to avoid crowdedness, to regularly disinfect the hands, to maintain a safety distance of at least 1 meter. If such symptoms as fever, coughing and breathing difficulties appear, the persons should immediately see a doctor.

The Delta variant is more contagious and spreads faster and vaccination against COVID-19 is the most efficient method of protection against it, together with the observance of general protection measures.

Moldova by June 24 has got 256 387 infections with the novel coronavirus. The death toll from COVID-19 stands at 6 180.