The number of cases of the new Chinese virus in Russia is growing daily. Now the number of those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 has exceeded 8.5 thousand people. Residents of cities close to the capital are in a panic. The number of people infected with coronavirus in Belgorod on April 8 is known. So far, there are only 18 of them. Little is known about the situation in the region: for reasons of confidentiality, the media do not provide detailed information about the sick.
Are there any patients with coronavirus in Stary Oskol
Alexander Sergienko, the head of the city district, reports that there are currently patients with coronavirus in Stary Oskol. Only one citizen infected with the virus has been identified. The first tests for coronavirus were carried out on April 1. In two residents who returned from abroad, the initial analysis gave a positive result. Subsequently, the disease was confirmed in only one man.
The Belgorod Region received 500 test kits for COVID-19. Persons arriving from abroad, medical staff and persons over 65 years of age who have symptoms of SARS are subject to mandatory testing.
The patient turned to the doctors when he noticed the first signs of SARS: fever, coughing, sneezing. Medical workers immediately took a sample of the biomaterial. The presence of the virus was confirmed in the Belgorod and federal laboratories. At the moment, the man is being treated at the hospital of St. Luke of Crimea. According to doctors, the disease is mild.
Is there a quarantine in Stary Oskol and when will it end
As in most cities of the Russian Federation, Starooskol residents observe isolation measures. Since March 28, the work of the following organizations has been stopped in the district:
- retail outlets (with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies);
- hairdressers, beauty salons, spas, massage rooms, sports clubs;
- cafes, canteens, restaurants (work only for pickup and delivery);
- cinemas, hookah and other leisure facilities;
- fairs and non-food markets.
There are also restrictions on transport. From March 28, the validity of social travel tickets is temporarily canceled. Citizens are advised not to go out unless absolutely necessary. As of April 8, the self-isolation index in the city is 3.3. By presidential decree, people should stay at home until April 30.
Strict quarantine in Stary Oskol is prescribed only for those who have returned from a country with an unfavorable epidemic situation. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, they need to be at home for two weeks. Violation of self-isolation in this case entails the corresponding fines.
Children's educational institutions in the region have switched to a remote mode of operation. Quarantine in Stary Oskol schools will last at least until April 12. The academic year may be extended until June 8 due to the unstable epidemiological situation.
Other protective measures in the city
The city administration responsibly approached the observance of the recommendations of doctors. All management companies were given recommendations for disinfecting the entrances of residential buildings. Every day, employees of the ZhKZ treat floors, entrance doors, window sills, railings, elevators and mailboxes with chlorine-containing compounds. In the Yubileiny microdistrict, even playgrounds are being disinfected.
In order to prevent coronavirus in Stary Oskol, public transport is being sanitized. After each trip, the interiors of buses and trams are put in order: handrails, seatbacks and handles are treated with a disinfectant. Taxi service employees also joined the preventive measures. After the shift, drivers carry out mandatory processing of the cabin.
Due to the fact that most citizens are sitting at home, the load on transport has greatly decreased. In this regard, the intervals between bus routes were increased. The new schedule will remain in effect until the end of quarantine measures. You can get acquainted with it on the city portal.
At the metallurgical plant in Stary Oskol, additional measures were taken to prevent COVID-19. Employees at risk (pregnant women and the elderly over 65 years of age) have been transferred to self-isolation with pay. More than 50 employees will be required to stay at home until April 30. It will not affect the stable operation of the enterprise.
The situation in the city's hospitals
Hospitals in the Belgorod region are fully prepared for the arrival of new patients. The lieutenant governor for health said that some federal money has been allocated to fight the Chinese virus. They will be spent on the organization of additional places for the infectious diseases departments of hospitals.
At the moment, work on equipping city and regional hospitals is being completed. It is planned to allocate additional beds for patients in four more regions, including Stary Oskol.
The Andrey Skoch Foundation "Generation" has purchased protective equipment for residents of the Belgorod Region. More than 800 5-liter cans of Anolyte disinfectant were sent to hospitals. In addition, a ton of material and accessories were sent from the fund for sewing medical protective suits. Tailoring will be carried out in the old society of the blind.
According to Rospotrebnadzor, in Russia the virus is spreading at a relatively slow pace. In Stary Oskol, the situation remains stable. However, the regions continue to be on high alert. The peak incidence has not yet arrived, which means that we should expect an increase in the reports of those infected with COVID-19.