Georgian Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan Tsikhelashvili says that the two Russian-occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali face the threat of an outbreak of COVID-19 as people have moved freely between the regions and Russia over the past several weeks.
Russia has had 2,777 confirmed cases of the coronavirus so far.
She says that one woman who was transported from the region of Abkhazia to Tbilisi-controlled territory on March 29 has tested positive for the virus.
However, this does not mean that this is the only case of the virus in the region. The woman travelled to Russia and like her, dozens of people had been travelling between the region and Russia over the past several weeks,” Tsikhelashvili said.
Georgia has received international praise for its efforts against the coronavirus. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
She stated that Georgia is ready to help its people living in the occupied regions and Rukhi hospital on the Tbilisi-administered territory, near the occupied Abkhazia region, is ready to receive the patients infected with the virus.
Tsikhelashvili said that the infected woman from Abkhazia region, who is receiving treatment in Zugdidi, feels satisfactory and her condition is not critical.
The individuals have also been identified who had contact with the woman. Seven have already been transported onto our controlled territory and are under quarantine,” Tsikhelashvili said.
She stated that the attitude of the de facto authorities of Tskhinvali is ‘alarming and concerning,’ as they are refusing any cooperation with the central government regarding coronavirus or any other issue.
Tsikhelashvili expressed hope that the de facto government of Tskhinvali will act ‘more reasonabl as the case concerns the life and health of people.