Georgia reports 4 new cases of coronavirus, with total number of infected people at 37
Since February 2020 Georgia has had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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Georgia confirmed four new cases of coronavirus earlier today, with the total number of infected individuals in the country standing at 37.
Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, one patient has recovered and was discharged.
Director of Tbilisi Hospital of Infections Diseases Marina Ezugbaia said that the new patients had contact with one of the individuals who tested positive for the respiratory infection earlier and is now in hospital.
The most affected states by COVID-19. Photo: coronavirus live update.
As of now 1,261 are under quarantine in Georgia and 216 others are in hospital.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said yesterday that as of now there is no need to declare an emergency situation in the country, adding that if there is the necessity in the coming days ‘we will take the step’.
Coronavirus cases worldwide stand at 198,742, with 7,989 deaths and 82, 779 recoveries.
Tbilisi City Hall will allocate additional buses for busy routes in Tbilisi as mini buses, so-called marshrutkas, have been temporarily banned from serving passengers starting today to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze stated earlier today.
Georgian health officials say that Georgia is between the containment and the spread of China-born COVID-19 virus, a respiratory infection which has infected 34 in Georgia since February 26, 2020. Head of Georgia’s Hospital of Infectious Diseases Tenzig Tsertsvadze says as of now the ‘trace has not been lost’ and all the infected know how they contracted the virus. "We have managed to contain the virus so far. However, now we are on the verge of the virus spreading,” Tsertsvadze said.
Elderly beneficiaries of care homes in Tbilisi will receive food for free starting from today, as soup kitchens have temporarily closed in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus-Covid-19, reports the press office of Tbilisi City Hall.
Within the last 24 hours, Georgian law enforcers have placed 22 individuals under quarantine throughout the country for violating self-isolation rules to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus – Covid-19, reports the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA).
Several new restrictions have been placed on public transport in Tbilisi to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Starting tomorrow, entrance onto buses will be available from the back door only, as the passenger cabin and driver’s area will be separated to keep drivers safe from coronavirus.
Georgian Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili says that there is no risk of food shortages in Georgia due to the coronavirus. Davitashvili met the heads of the large supermarkets earlier today to discuss food stocks and the issue of price regulation.
The US government has announced a rapid response grant programme for Georgian civil society organisations, civic movements and citizen groups to help the country respond to challenges caused by COVID-19 virus in a timely manner.
Around 10 Georgian companies have launched production of face masks in a move to prevent an outbreak of the new coronavirus, with the first batch set to be purchased by the government.
The Georgian Red Cross Society (GRCS) has started to train volunteers who will be able to provide food, medication and hygiene products to elderly individuals, those with special needs living alone, as well as to the disadvantaged and individuals with chronic illnesses in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus – COVID-19, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated today.
Companies involved in Georgia's private sector will contribute to efforts against the new coronavirus outbreak, with the government providing a platform for pooling the joint resources.