Corona Update
The coronavirus cases detected in Georgia on a daily basis continue to rise, while the capital of Tbilisi still maintains a leading position in terms of virus spread, with no less than 1000 cases identified per day.
However, the number of recoveries is also high, which gives the population a spark of hope.
On Saturday, it was announced that renowned Georgian actor Kakhi Kavsadze had been diagnosed with the new coronavirus. The 85-year-old actor was hospitalized at the First University Clinic in Tbilisi and put on a ventilator. His condition is still critical.
Georgia’s Minister of Finance Ivane Machavariani has also been infected with the virus, yet his condition is mild and he continues to work remotely from home.
On Monday, the country recorded 3,216 new infection cases, 3,937 recoveries and 37 deaths. Of the new cases identified, 1,662 were confirmed in Tbilisi, 313 in Adjara and 517 in Imereti. These three locations are where the majority of the new cases are being detected throughout the country.
Georgia Gets Ready for the Vaccine
On the same day, the Head of Georgia’s National Center for Disease Control, Amiran Gamkrelidze, announced that Georgia was expected to receive the coronavirus vaccine either in March or April 2021 via the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (Covax).
Gamkrelidze added that Georgia has already ordered vaccines for 700,000 persons (1,400,000 doses, as one person must be vaccinated twice), and will pay around $17 million.
Georgia is currently negotiating with individual companies to buy coronavirus vaccines directly from them.
Gamkrelidze added that Georgia is currently experiencing its peak of the coronavirus infection, noting that the duration of the peak depends on a myriad of factors, including observation of the recently imposed restrictions.
On Tuesday, Georgia reported 3,759 new cases of coronavirus, 36 deaths and 3,574 recoveries.
"Of the 3,759 cases identified today, 1,595 were confirmed in Tbilisi, 623 in Adjara, 392 in Imereti, 139 in Kvemo Kartli, 127 in Shida Kartli, 152 in Guria, 237 in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, 253 in Kakheti, 126 in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, 72 in Samtskhe-Javakheti, and 43 in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti,” announced Berdia Sichinava, Deputy Head of the Task Force under the Interagency Coordination Council.
On Wednesday, the country had 4033 new cases of coronavirus, 4 061 recoveries and 39 deaths.
20,000 Tests a Day
On Thursday, it was announced that within the scope of the two-month COVID restrictions imposed by the Government of Georgia, an intensive testing program will begin throughout the country. At the same time, a special task force has been established with the instruction of the Prime Minister of Georgia to prepare the country for the vaccination stage and uninterrupted logistical support of COVID vaccination.
The state will administer about 20,000 tests a day, which will be supplemented by private lab indicators. Further, the application of antigen-based tests will be extended, which generates a response in almost 20 minutes.
Changes to Post-Entry Quarantine Rules
The Coordination Council has ruled to alter the procedures of entry to the country for citizens of Georgia. Namely, a citizen of Georgia who arrives without a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test will no longer be required to stay at a quarantine hotel, but will have to self-isolate for 12 days. Citizens of Georgia who arrive with a negative PCR test obtained within the past 72 hours will be obliged to self-isolate for 8 days.
Citizens with no means of self-isolation will be provided with a stay at a quarantine hotel by the state.
The Latest Stats
As of Thursday, 4,260 new confirmed cases of the virus had been identified.
The total number of confirmed cases detected since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country amounts to 147,636. In the 24-hour period from Wednesday-Thursday, 2,947 people recovered, and the total number of recoveries increased to 124,568.
"Unfortunately, we have 45 new cases of coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours. Since February 26, , we have seen a total of 1,387 deaths,” the Interagency Coordination Council announced.
Of the 4,260 new cases of infection detected Thursday, 1,676 cases were reported in Tbilisi, 525 in Adjara, 591 in Imereti, 351 in Kvemo Kartli, 294 in Shida Kartli, 131 in Guria, in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti - 274, in Kakheti - 166, in Mtskheta-Mtianeti - 134, in Samtskhe-Javakheti - 88, in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti - 30.
Image source: Reuters