Corona Updates: Georgia Has 15,332 Active Cases

As of November 5, 2401 new cases of coronavirus had been detected in Georgia, bringing the total number of infected people to 49,218. The majority of the newly detected cases were recorded in Tbilisi.

At the same time, the country recorded 2289 recoveries and 20 deaths in the previous 24 hours.

“We still maintain positive dynamics in terms of the growth of recovering people,” the government administration reported. “In particular, 2289 people recovered in the last 24 hours, and the total number of recoveries since February has thus increased to 33,459.”

Unfortunately, 20 people died over those 24 hours. Including 10 people in Tbilisi, 2 in Adjara, 7 in Imereti and 1 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti. Since February 26, 2020, Georgia has seen a total of 401 deaths.

Of 2401 cases detected [Thursday], 976 cases were detected in Tbilisi, 328 in Adjara, 368 in Imereti, 61 in Kvemo Kartli, 135 in Shida Kartli, 62 in Guria, 280 in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 70 in Kakheti, 31 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, 55 in Samtskhe-Javakheti, 35 in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

Based on the official data, 293 patients infected with the coronavirus are currently on artificial respiration and there are 638 seriously ill patients, including 316 in Tbilisi and 100 in Adjara.

At this stage, there are 15,332 active cases in the country.

Wearing Face Masks in Open Spaces Becomes Mandatory

Wearing a face mask has become mandatory outdoors as well as in, the Interagency Council of the Government of Georgia decided this week.

“We have made a decision to make it mandatory not only to wear a face mask indoors but also in open spaces,” Deputy Prime Minister Maia Tskitishvili stated, adding that the decision serves to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Face masks are recognized worldwide as one of the best means of slowing down the spread of the virus; therefore, the use of face masks by citizens both indoors and outdoors is now considered of particular importance, as the correct use of face masks by 90% [of the population] is said to reduce the risk of the spread of infection by 70%,” she added.

Citizens seen by police not wearing face masks in both closed and open spaces from November 4 will be asked to pay a 20 GEL fine.

“The sanction and regulation on wearing face masks will be the same both for open and closed spaces,” the Vice Prime Minister said.

Studies to Continue Remotely in 10 Cities of Georgia

The government has decided to keep the system of distance learning ongoing in several Georgian cities.

The Deputy PM stated that studies will continue remotely in 10 big cities of Georgia: Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Telavi, Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Gori, Poti, Marneuli and Gardabani from November 4-25, as the second round of the parliamentary elections is scheduled to take place on November 21, and the school buildings will be used as polling stations during the voting process.

“In many settlements, we have to conduct a second round of voting, and hundreds of schools have already been set up as polling stations. Given the importance of reducing mobility in big cities, we decided today to keep the distance learning regime in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Telavi, Zugdidi, Zestaponi, Gori, Poti, Marneuli and Gardabani. Study in Adjara is also being carried out remotely,” Tskitishvili noted.

State Kindergartens Closed

“Effective tomorrow, state kindergartens will be temporarily closed until the epidemiological situation improves,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced on Wednesday. The move does not apply to private kindergartens or those in other parts of the country.

“We launched studies in kindergartens, and had to close about 40 [cases]. Due to the current epidemiological situation, there has been a lot of discussion on this issue, and from tomorrow, Tbilisi’s kindergartens will be completely closed until the epidemiological situation improves. We care about the health of our children,” Kaladze said.

Georgia’s Healthcare Service

At Wednesday's session of the Interagency Coordination Council, which was held via video conferencing and chaired by Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, Council members discussed the growing pattern of the global number of people infected with coronavirus, as well as the situation in clinics and the operation of the primary level of healthcare. It was noted that the Ministry of Healthcare is constantly working to mobilize additional beds in clinics, as necessary. The Ministry was instructed during the session to enhance the medical component in COVID hotels where mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are receiving treatment. Family doctors of insurance companies are also involved in the process of managing the treatment of patients with mild cases of infection who are undergoing treatment at home. The Central Online Clinic, which systematically monitors patients who are being treated at home, as well as those who are self-isolating together, is also operational; if a patient's condition worsens, the Clinic ensures that the appropriate steps are taken in response.

Government Members, Ministers Go into Self-Isolation after Exposure to COVID-19

On Monday, the Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia tested positive for coronavirus. He is said to be feeling well and is continuing his treatment, and his job, from home.

Gakharia began to self-isolate on 31 October following contact with a member of the security staff who was diagnosed with coronavirus as a result of targeted selective testing.

The head of the Government Administration, Natia Mezvrishvili, also tested positive for coronavirus the same day, as did the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Natia Turnava, and the Minister of Health and Social Care of Adjara, Nino Nizharadze.

“I have tested positive for COVID-19. I'm fine, undergoing treatment at home and I will continue working as much as possible,” Mezvrishvili wrote. It was a sentiment echoed by all the above.

Georgia's Minister of Education Mikheil Chkhenkeli was another to move to self-isolation this week, as a family member had tested positive for coronavirus.

“The Minister has no symptoms typical of COVID-19 and is feeling well. He will continue his activities remotely,” the Ministry of Education said in a statement.

The state leaders and members of the Georgian Dream party were not alone in their coronavirus afflictions, however, as Salome Samadashvili, a leader of the opposition United National Movement party, also tested positive for coronavirus.

She wrote on social media that she has no symptoms typical of COVID-19.

“Friends, I've tested positive for coronavirus. However, I'm asymptomatic and remain in self-isolation,” Samadashvili wrote.