Truck driver tests positive for COVID-19 in western Georgia
All individuals who had contact with the infected truck driver have been identified and self-isolated. Photo: The Ministry of Health.
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A 29-year-old truck driver has tested positive for the new coronavirus in Zestaponi, in Georgia’s western region of Imereti today.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that the infected truck driver was in self-isolation before the symptoms of the virus appeared. He entered Georgia from Armenia several days ago.
All individuals who had contact with the infected truck driver have been identified and self-isolated.
Imereti governor Zviad Shalamberidze said that the infected man has not been in contact with his family members. All the individuals he had contact with are identified and there is no danger of the virus spreading.
The patient has been transferred to the Kutaisi Referral Hospital. His health condition is stable.
Georgia has reported six new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 713.
Four of the six cases are from the Mushevani village of Bolnisi municipality which is under strict lockdown.
475 of the 713 patients have recovered, while 12 others have died.
The Georgian Ministry of Health has bought 30,000 rapid coronavirus tests with the help of the World Bank’s 'Emergency COVID-19 Response Project.' The antibody tests are made by a Chinese company which has a license from the Chinese government and supplies tests to the USA and other European countries.
Georgia will end its state of emergency on May 22, though some restrictions will remain in place, announces the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia. On March 21 Georgia declared a state of emergency to prevent the spread of the coronavirus until April 21. This was later extended until May 22 after it was observed that the infection curve had still not been flattened.
The villages of Khatisopeli, Vanati, Mushevani in eastern Georgia have have been placed on strict lockdown due to an outbreak of the coronavirus. Georgian Interior Ministry announced earlier today that movement in the villages will be banned.