Opinions & Interviews

COVID-19 third wave expected to be less intensive in Belarus

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MINSK, 24 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian Healthcare Ministry expects the third wave of coronavirus to be less intensive in Belarus, though much depends on the spread of new coronavirus variants, Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich said at the collegium of the Healthcare Ministry, BelTA has learned.

“The fight against the pandemic is far from over. We are reeling under the second wave, though the caseload is showing a downward trend in all regions. The third wave is most likely to be less intensive, through much will depend on the spread of new strains and the vaccination coverage,” Dmitry Pinevich said.

Vaccination is underway in the country. Almost 25,000 people have already received their jabs.

According to the minister, since the outbreak of the pandemic, the president has hosted over 30 meetings to discuss the situation with COVID-19. The head of state instructed to set up special headquarters to combat the infection at the level of the central government and regional authorities. The head of state visited healthcare institutions and the red zones in them.

According to Dmitry Pinevich, successful practices used during the pandemic can come in handy in the future. One of them is the ability to promptly mobilize workforce, the flexibility of managerial decisions depending on the situation, as well as the ability to implement a complex set of diagnostic and treatment measures in a limited time period.

Thus, more than 34,000 hospital beds were re-purposed, coronavirus patients received treatment in first-line hospitals, aftercare facilities and rehabilitation centers. Tertiary care hospitals were not re-purposed to keep tertiary care available to those who need it. Treatment protocols were updated. The minister also pointed to the role of the ambulance and polyclinic personnel, coronavirus containment measures in care homes and educational institutions.

“The head of state called 2020 the year of courage of doctors, this is the highest praise for us,” the minister added. Last year, 45 frontline workers received state awards, more than 4,300 healthcare professionals were awarded by the government, the Healthcare Ministry, trade unions, and local authorities.

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