From March 10, the surgical department of the Vitebsk City Emergency Hospital (BSMP) will be repurposed for normal operation, as reported by the main healthcare department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
"The decrease in the number of patients with COVID-19 under observation and treatment in outpatient clinics, and the reduced workload on the outpatient department allow healthcare institutions in the region to gradually return to their normal operating mode. Preparations for repurposing are currently underway in the surgical department of BSMP, and from March 10, standard medical care will be provided here. Nine central district hospitals are providing planned care: Beshenkovichi, Gorodok, Dubrovno, Liozno, Rossony, Senno, Ushachi, Sharkovshchina, and Shumilino. The number of repurposed beds in pediatric departments of healthcare institutions is also decreasing," the regional healthcare department noted.
Five healthcare institutions in Vitebsk are operating as infectious disease hospitals. These include the Regional Infectious Disease Hospital, the Regional Clinical Center for Pulmonology and Phthisiology, BSMP (excluding the surgical department), the Regional Clinical Maternity Hospital, and the urology department of the Regional Clinical Hospital.
The regional healthcare department also emphasized that the gradual decline in coronavirus incidence does not negate the need for preventive measures. Medical professionals recommend adhering to respiratory etiquette, maintaining distance in public places, wearing protective masks, disinfecting hands, ventilating rooms, and undergoing vaccination and revaccination. According to the chief sanitary doctor of the region, Vladimir Sinkevich, as of this morning, 62.6% of the residents of the Vitebsk region have received the first dose of the vaccine, and 61.5% have received both doses. Additionally, 12.9% of children aged 12 to 17 in the region have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by