Moldova has tests for detecting the presence of the novel coronavirus for another month and a half. Over 40,000 test kits are now available and there are also test kits from the donations made by business entities, 7,000 test kits provided by Russia and more tests are to be supplied from a purchase of the Global Fund, Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Viorica Dumbrăveanu was quoted by IPN as saying in the talk show “Emphasis on Today” on TVR Moldova channel.

According to the minister, the public procurement of about 100,000 test kits through the agency of a project implemented by the Ministry and the World Bank is being conducted and they are now analyzing the bids, paying attention to the quality, delivery period and use-by date as they need the test kits to be valid in autumn-winter too.

Viorica Dumbrăveanu noted that the tests that are done at hospitals and on persons receiving treatment at home from whom samples are collected by mobile teams are gratis. In general, a test costs US$20 (≈350 lei), but if the personnel costs are included the sum rises to 700 lei. The testing tariff was determined and is to be approved by the Government next week.

In another development, the official said that next week is expected to be critical in terms of new cases of COVID-19, as epidemiologists anticipate. The number of infections grows because the intensity of testing also increased and because some of the economic activities were resumed and particular restrictions were relaxed. “The figures will depend on the individual and collective responsibility of the people,” she stated.

A second wave of infections is expected to be witnessed in autumn, as WHO experts forecast. “We should not wait for the second wave or for the change of the epidemiological situation. We are currently on alert so that we cope with the current situation and prepare the emergency system for health emergencies, and not only infections with COVID-19. The second wave implies learned lessons, set priorities and concrete and firm actions,” said Viorica Dumbrăveanu.

She also said that some of the infected doctors didn’t get the 16,000 lei in support not because there are not funds, but due to technical causes, such as the indication of incomplete or incorrect data concerning the beneficiaries by those who manage the process. “The faults come from the primary data processing stage,” stated the minister.