COVID-19 (before February 11, 2020 was called 2019-nCoV) is a deadly viral infection that has had pandemic status since March 11, 2020. First discovered in Wuhan (China) at the end of 2019.
The first reported cases of infection in Russia were discovered on January 31 in Siberia. As of March 18, 2020, there are 147 confirmed cases of infection in the country (data taken from the official information site on the Chinese virus).
The Chinese virus was first detected in Nizhny Novgorod on March 6, 2020.
How many people are infected in Nizhny Novgorod
According to official data, as of March 18, 2020, 3 cases of virus infection were confirmed in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
Infected:
- Girl (born in 1993). Discovered on 03/06/2020. It is suspected that she contracted the virus in Milan (Italy). Placed in infectious diseases hospital No. 2. Recovered on 03/17/2020.
- Young woman. Discovered on March 17, 2020. She returned from Europe (Germany) already with the virus. Placed in infectious diseases hospital No. 2.
- Man. HSE student, originally from Iraq. Discovered on March 18, 2020. Hospitalized.
According to the first case, the virus was discovered during a scheduled test. The third infected was found immediately at the station upon arrival in the city. All people in contact with any of the patients are under control.
The governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin, assured residents that they would always receive reliable information about the virus and about new infected people, there was no reason to panic, the necessary measures were taken in the city.
How many people are in quarantine
In the Nizhny Novgorod region, a total of three cases of coronavirus infection were recorded. People who have previously been in contact with the infected have been quarantined for self-isolation and are under the control of doctors. So, for example, people who had contact with the first patient were in quarantine and were examined. None of them showed signs of the Chinese virus.
People who are in quarantine on self-isolation will receive sick leave. Money for sick leave for this reason is accrued in a special regime. This means that even if a person has no signs of illness, but has had contact with a sick person, he has the right to go on sick leave and apply for a certificate of incapacity for work for a period of self-isolation.
What protection measures have been introduced in the city
The epidemic of pneumonia, caused by a previously unknown virus, is becoming more and more widespread every day. To reduce the risk of infection and prevent the spread of coronavirus in Nizhny Novgorod and the region, special measures have been introduced.
The first decree to reduce the risk of infection was signed on March 13 by Gleb Nikitin, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. Among the main theses that were outlined are:
- Citizens of the Russian Federation who have previously visited countries where a new virus has been found are advised to notify the relevant authorities. For residents of the Nizhny Novgorod region, report information (country and city of stay abroad, date of travel and return, contact details) to the hotline - 8 (831) 250-94-03.
- People with signs of illness (dry cough, fever, shortness of breath) should contact a medical facility and call a doctor at home.
- At the enterprises it is necessary to introduce temperature control for workers.
- Organizations are required to clean the premises daily using antibacterial and disinfectants.
- Introduce temperature control for public events.
The governor also noted that it is possible to cancel certain mass events or transfer them to the status of closed ones (holding without the participation of spectators).
On March 17, a number of amendments were made to the decree:
- Mass events, including sports, have been canceled in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
- Sports clubs, swimming pools, cultural centers where mass gatherings of people are possible (libraries, museums, theaters) are closed.
Also, due to the spread of the coronavirus, the educational process has been suspended.
Starting March 18, schools will go on vacation ahead of schedule. According to the plan, they will last until March 28. In case of extension of quarantine measures, it is possible to transfer students to distance learning.
From March 18, students of higher and secondary specialized educational institutions are switching to distance learning.
Institutions and enterprises of the city and the region are regularly cleaned with the use of antibacterial agents, and all existing urban transport can be disinfected.
At the moment, residents of the region and the city of Nizhny Novgorod have no reason to panic. All visitors are subject to temperature checks. Those arriving from other countries are under the control of doctors. Governor Gleb Nikitin assures that residents will learn about cases of infection in a timely manner and no one will hide the real data. As of March 18, 2020, according to the regional administration, there are no reasons to tighten the quarantine regime.