Health Ministry Launches Preventive Measures to Combat Flu

TBILISI – Georgia’s Health Minister, Davit Sergeenko stated that due to increased cases of flu-like illnesses, the Ministry is to carry out a number of preventive activities throughout the country.

Sergeenko said the Ministry would activate the same protocol as used during a period of three weeks at the beginning of January.

The Minister underlined that the increased number of flu cases should not be considered as an epidemic, and added that such illnesses commonly increase each spring and autumn.

“We had the same situation in January and February. I want to stress that this is not an epidemic,” he stated, adding that the Ministry would create special family centers, which would work a 24/7 regime and serve the population who is ill.

“At schools and kindergartens, special protocol will be launched starting today which means that those educational institutions in which the absence of children is more than 40 percent, will be closed for three days,” the Minister noted.

Doctors recommend the population to wash their hands oftern, air rooms and wear face masks in crowded places in order to prevent further spread of the flu.

By Thea Morrison