11 employees of Interior Ministry test positive for COVID-19
The Interior Ministry reported that epidemiologists are now actively studying their contacts and that over 20 individuals were already transferred to the quarantine zone. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The Georgian Interior Ministry reported earlier today that its eleven employees have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Seven infected individuals, who are employees of the border management and coordination main division of the patrol police department, were infected at Dariali border crossing point.
Three others - a firefighter, security and border police officers - tested positive for the coronavirus in quarantined Mestia municipality, while a security police inspector tested positive in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
Mestia municipality in western Georgia was placed on lockdown yesterday:
Due to high epidemiological risk, entry and exit from Mestia municipality will be partially restricted
— MIA of Georgia (@MIAofGeorgia) August 10, 2020
Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will carry out intensive patrolling activities to protect public order and security. https://t.co/N6HGs8NlhN pic.twitter.com/h8KNkWdHi6
The Interior Ministry reported that epidemiologists are now actively studying their contacts and that over 20 individuals were already transferred to the quarantine zone.
It also stated that every employee of the Ministry “strictly follows” recommendations of the World Health Organisation as well as the norms defined by the safety protocol when working with citizens.
Targeted testing for coronavirus is carried out on a regular basis to employees of various units of the Ministry in coordination with the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.
Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has confirmed a total of 1,264 cases of the coronavirus, including 1,054 recoveries and 17 deaths.
Starting today, public transport has been suspended in the western Georgian region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti to counter the further spread of COVID-19. Joint groups of police, military servicemen and healthcare professionals will monitor residents to enforce state of emergency regulations.
The Lugar Laboratory in Tbilisi will have a new test to diagnose the new China-born coronavirus 2019-nCOV starting February 4, said the head of the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health Amiran Gamkrelidze.
Georgia has reported 14 new cases of the coronavirus earlier today. Forty-four COVID-19 patients have recovered over the past 24 hours. Most of the patients who have recovered are Georgian soldiers who tested positive for the coronavirus while serving in the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan last month and were transported home for treatment.
Mestia municipality in western Georgia, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country, has been placed on lockdown as 16 people have tested positive in the past two days in the municipality for the coronavirus. People will not be able to enter or leave the municipality without the police’s consent. Tourists who are now in the municipality will be placed under quarantine in hotels where they are currently located (if the hotels meet the recommendations of Georgia’s Health Ministry) or will be transported to other quarantine zones.
Georgia has reported 14 new cases of the coronavirus earlier today, bringing the total number of cases to 1,278. 1,058 of the 1,278 patients have recovered, while 17 others have died. As of today 203 individuals remain infected with COVID-19 in the country. Mestia municipality in western Georgia and Karajalari village of Gardabani municipality in eastern Georgia remain on coronavirus lockdown.
Georgian PrimeMinister Giorgi Gakharia has dismissed media reports that the government has plans to impose coronavirus restrictions in Kazbegi municipality of eastern Georgia, as seven border guards in Larsi checkpoint, at Russia-Georgia border, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Georgia will wait for studies and communicate with partner organisations as Russia has registered the first coronavirus vaccine for use, claiming that the vaccine ‘gives sustainable immunity’ and is safe.
Since the arrival of coronavirus in Georgia, a total of 283,000 people have been tested for coronavirus with PCR in Georgia, while over 180,000 have been tested with rapid tests in the country, said Deputy Head of the National Disease Control Centre Paata Imnadze.
Nine coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Kazbegi municipality, eastern Georgia, said Mayor of Kazbegi municipality Alexandre Zagashvili, noting the ‘epidemiological situation is calm and under control.’
The medical director of Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital Marina Ezugbaia told journalists today that nine infected individuals out of the 15 had travelled to Svaneti, four had contacts with infected individuals, one is a truck driver, while the source of infection for one individual has not yet been identified.