Regional headquarters for combating the spread of COVID-19: In the Vitebsk region, 1.4 thousand beds are allocated for patients with pneumonia and COVID-19.

1.4 thousand beds are allocated in medical institutions of the Vitebsk region for patients with pneumonia and COVID-19. This was announced today to journalists before the meeting of the regional headquarters for countering the spread of COVID-19 by Mikhail Vishnevetsky, Head of the Main Department for Healthcare of the Regional Executive Committee.

1.4 thousand beds are allocated in medical institutions of the Vitebsk region for patients with pneumonia and COVID-19. This was announced today to journalists before the meeting of the regional headquarters for countering the spread of COVID-19 by Mikhail Vishnevetsky, Head of the Main Department for Healthcare of the Regional Executive Committee.

According to the Head of the Main Department for Healthcare, the region is experiencing a 2.7% increase in the spread of acute respiratory infections compared to last year. The trend of increasing incidence of coronavirus infection has been observed since September. "It is expected, we are smoothly entering the second wave," stated Mikhail Vishnevetsky. He stressed that medical institutions and healthcare workers are ready to go through it.

"Based on the main hospitals of Vitebsk and large cities, 1.4 thousand beds have been deployed for patients with pneumonia and COVID-19, including a reserve, which is 20% of the bed fund that can be repurposed for these purposes. This is enough to function in a calm mode. If necessary, we will deploy more," said the head of the department.

He noted that the peculiarity of the second wave in the northern region is the uniform incidence. About 40% of all cases are in Vitebsk, 30% in Orsha, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, and the same amount in the districts.

Currently, the situation is completely under control. There is a sufficient supply of medicines in every healthcare institution. 1732 oxygen support points are provided, which is twice as many as during the first wave, although even then they were not fully utilized. A diagnostic department has been established in Vitebsk to streamline the logistics for hospitalizing severe patients from all districts of the region. Six laboratories are operating in the normal mode, conducting PCR tests. Approximately 1.2 thousand tests are performed daily. "This is enough to get results on the same day (sometimes up to one and a half days). If it is necessary to increase the number of tests, we have an agreement to involve additional laboratories in this work. Alongside this, there are express tests for diagnosis, as well as clear criteria defined by the Ministry of Health for establishing a diagnosis," added Mikhail Vishnevetsky.

During the headquarters meeting, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, emphasized the need to observe social distancing measures and self-discipline. "Fear during the first wave of coronavirus infection disciplined people. It has subsided over the summer period, and many have developed a certain irresponsibility towards their own health and that of others. We see how few people are using personal protective equipment, antiseptics, and masks today. It should be understood that autumn and winter are ahead, not the summer period. Therefore, how prolonged the period of illness will be this time largely depends on the self-discipline of each individual," stressed the head of the region.