The real situation with coronavirus in Belarus

At the end of February 2020, the whole world was shocked by the terrible news about a new type of coronavirus that claimed the lives of several thousand people. Every day there are new statistics that clearly show how the virus is spreading throughout Europe. Local residents of many countries are in a state of panic, and Belarus is no exception. The topic “Coronavirus in Belarus” has become the most discussed in the light of recent events.

Is there a coronavirus in Belarus

Several cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in Belarus.

 The first patient was a girl with coronavirus, who worked at a motorcycle factory.

The woman felt unwell and took a sick leave. A few days later, the patient's condition deteriorated sharply. Ambulance doctors took the woman to the hospital, where the first case of coronavirus was confirmed. All medical personnel who had contact with the woman are in a two-week quarantine. The girl did not travel outside the country, so the doctors did not immediately put the correct diagnosis on the patient.

The number of sick patients is more than 80 people according to official figures.

Infected citizens range in age from 3 years to 78. The average age of patients is 17-45 years.

Coronavirus in Minsk was confirmed in one of the students of school 212.

The school is currently under quarantine. All new cases of infection with a dangerous virus are confirmed in the country. Coronovirus in Mogilev was not detected.

Are there many people under surveillance?

More than 250 people are under medical supervision. In 42 patients, positive test results were confirmed without clear manifestations of a dangerous disease. Since January 2020, more than 20 thousand patients who were at risk have been examined. Doctors take temperature daily and interview patients. Citizens who have received a double negative result after the start of isolation can be considered absolutely healthy.

What happens to those who are under surveillance?

People who are in medical institutions in connection with suspected coronavirus undergo daily close examination of medical personnel. Patients are tested for the detection of concomitant diseases, such as the influenza virus and other diseases associated with the manifestation of a sign of SARS. If, after 14 days, patients do not confirm coronavirus infection, they are discharged from the hospital or transferred to other departments for further diagnosis. Most people in isolation show no symptoms of the disease.

Protective measures in the country

The government of Belarus has taken protective measures to prevent citizens. After the coronavirus outbreak reached BSU, the Ministry of Health began to quarantine some educational institutions. The authorities of Belarus conducted numerous express tests and reassured the people with a low percentage of infection of the country's citizens. Enhanced control operates at checkpoints, which measures the body temperature of each person with a thermal imager.

In cases where the mark of 36.6 is exceeded, a person is sent home until the circumstances are clarified. Passengers who recently arrived from countries affected by the coronovirus are in isolation mode. All information on the topic “Coronavirus in Minsk” can be obtained by calling the hotline +375(17)334-34-68. The government daily informs all citizens about new cases and calls for enhanced preventive measures.

Why are hospitals being repurposed?

Every year, hospitals are repurposed for colds, and this year was no exception. In the hospital for the disabled and the 6th hospital in the capital, medical institutions are annually re-profiled for patients with colds. There are enhanced prevention measures in the departments, such as wearing medical masks and limiting visits.

Will mass events and concerts be limited or canceled?

Coronavirus in Belarus has become the reason for the cancellation of mass events. The situation in the country is under complete control and does not allow massive outbreaks of the pandemic. The authorities strongly recommend that citizens do not leave their homes unless necessary. Some events have been completely canceled or rescheduled for an unknown date.

The Government of Belarus directs all preventive measures to protect citizens. Mass events can pose a threat to the entire population, so the expedient decision was made to cancel them. Many sports competitions have also been canceled in the country during the quarantine. In public places, doctors recommend wearing medical masks that will pinch from the spread of infection.

Will the borders be closed

Foreign citizens from countries disadvantaged by the coronavirus, such as China, Italy, the United States, South Korea and others, are subject to a temporary entry ban. Only citizens of Belarus or emergency services can enter the country. All people are required to provide a negative test result for coronavirus, after which their application for arrival in their home country can be considered. All airports have enhanced security, which checks the temperature regime of each passenger with a special sensor. The President of Belarus notes that such security measures are fully justified on the occasion of quarantine. All citizens arriving from other countries are required to undergo a two-week isolation regime and receive a negative test result.  

Is there panic in the streets

Mass events have been canceled on the streets of the city, but there is no panic. In almost all patients, the virus proceeds in a mild form. There were no lethal cases in Belarus. Residents of the country noted an increased demand for medical masks and hand sanitizers. Store shelves have all the necessary products in the public domain, so they do not need to be stocked in large quantities.

In general, people calmly react to the situation with the coronavirus in the country and allow the development of panic. Lukashenka urged not to panic in the country and to establish the production of domestic medical masks. The President also said: "We can suffer more from panic in our country than from a real virus." Most residents hold this opinion and do not let panic take over common sense. All patients are under close supervision, there is absolutely no reason to panic.

Without a doctor's prescription, it is impossible to take a test for a new type of virus. In cases of suspected viral infection, call the nearest Hygiene and Epidemiology Center and explain the situation. Medical staff will go to your home and take biomaterial from the nasopharyngeal mucosa. The country's hotline numbers are:

Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology and Public Health 8 (029) 156-85-65. Opening hours 8.30 to 18.00.

For information, a hotline is open in Minsk 8 (017) 334-34-68. Calls can occur from 8.30 to 15.00.

In an emergency, you can dial 112 and talk about the situation. The operator will redirect to further specialists.

Biological material is delivered to the laboratory in a special container. Test results can be obtained within 5-6 hours from the moment it is delivered to the laboratory. If you are not contacted within 24 hours, then you do not have coronavirus. First of all, specialists report the results of patients who have received a positive result. COVID-19 tests cannot be purchased at a pharmacy or taken at a private health facility. All tests are provided free of charge. A patient who has received a negative test result, but two weeks have not passed since returning from another country, cannot be considered completely healthy.

If you feel unwell after returning from other countries, then in no case should you go outside and go to clinics. Stay at home and call an ambulance. The team will deliver to the place of hospitalization, where they will take all the necessary tests. By phone, you must provide the following information:

• Surname First name Patronymic of the patient
• Age
• What country did the person recently fly from?
• What date was the flight
• Whom did he contact?

After these data, an ambulance team will leave for you and determine the further location.