Opinions & Interviews

Healthcare minister warns against panic over UK variant of COVID-19 in Belarus

MOLODECHNO, 12 March (BelTA) – Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich told reporters on 12 March that he sees no reason for panic over the detection of the first cases of the UK variant of coronavirus in Belarus, BelTA has learned.

The minister noted that the situation with the coronavirus infection is evolving as predicted. “The arrival of the UK variant, like other variants, was inevitable. I see no reason for panic,” the minister said.

According to him, there is conflicting information on this variant of coronavirus. The patients in Belarus diagnosed with this variant are not seriously sick and are not undergoing hospital treatment.

“This does not mean that we should not expect an increase in the caseload. However, it will have more to do with the seasonal rise of the infection that will be coupled with usual seasonal diseases common for our country,” Dmitry Pinevich said commenting on the situation.

However, no surge in the incidence rate has been reported in Belarus so far. “The incidence rate is about 40% lower than the autumn peak, if we analyze severe and moderate cases that are treated in hospital,” Dmitry Pinevich emphasized. “We stand ready, we are not relaxing our measures related to respiratory etiquette. Recommendations to wear masks will stay in place until the summer, and maybe longer,” the minister added.

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