A lot of people ask to be tested for infection with the novel coronavirus. In the morning of March 18, there were 76 persons suspected of having caught COVID-19 and 14 of these were children, IPN reports, quoting Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Viorica Dumbrăveanu.

After the meeting of the National Focal Point, the minister said 25 of these persons were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital “Toma Ciorbă” in Chisinau. Two patients diagnosed with COVID-19 are in a serious state. Two minors receive treatment at the Children’s Infectious Diseases Hospital and their condition is medium grave.

As many as 30 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Moldova so far. Of these, 18 are cases of import as the patients returned from Italy, France, the UK and Switzerland. A 61-year-old woman infected with COVID-19, who was in a serious state, died at the National Clinical Hospital last night.

The authorities warn that the most efficient protection measure is for the persons to stay at home and to refrain from contacts with third persons. Special attention should be devoted to elderly people who suffer from heart and respiratory diseases and diabetes. Those who returned from risk areas should remain isolated for 14 days.