Opinions & Interviews

Belarus follows world’s best practices in treating coronavirus patients

An archive photo

MINSK, 6 April (BelTA) – Belarusian hospitals, in particular, Minsk Infectious Diseases Hospital, have everything in place to treat coronavirus patients, Deputy Head of the hospital Svyatoslav Velgin told BelTA.

When symptoms are mild or moderate, the immune system can handle the virus on its own. In this case patients remain under medical observation without treatment. If patients develop severe symptoms, they have to take medicines. “Treatment methods are well known. Foreign clinics that treat such patients share their expertise and knowledge. We have the medications they recommend, we use them and the treatment outcomes are pretty good,” Svyatoslav Velgin said.

At present the hospital is taking care of coronavirus patients aged 17-85 years. As far as young people are concerned, the disease presentation ranges from no
symptoms to mild symptoms. Young people are often just carriers. They might develop low-grade fever and cough. They are advised to wear masks to prevent transmission to the most vulnerable groups, first of all, people with underlying conditions and the elderly.

About 15% of the cases develop severe disease and require mechanical ventilation in the intensive care facilities.

The hospital has taken all the necessary precautions to prevent exposure to coronavirus cases. “Visits are not allowed in our hospital; patients do not walk all over the premises, but stay in the wards. The food is delivered right to the wards and parcels from relatives are passed by the staff. Thus, we can prevent the virus transmission,” Svyatoslav Velgin said. When patients recover (after testing negative for COVID-19), they are discharged from hospital. The treatment usually takes about two weeks.

The Healthcare Ministry urges those who develop symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath and stuffy nose, to stay at home and call a local out-patient clinic. They need to name their symptoms and give their contacts (name, address, phone number). After that they will be contacted by a healthcare worker and receive advice.

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