Georgia plans to evacuate citizens from coronavirus outbreak epicenter
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Georgia has plans to evacuate at least five of its citizens from Wuhan, Hubei province of China - the epicenter of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, and ‘temporary suspend’ direct flights from the country as the death toll in China already stands at 106.
Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze says that a special meeting will take place later today to decide how to evacuate the Georgian citizens from Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, which is now in a lockdown with strict transport restrictions in and out of the area.
As of now there is no threat of the virus spreading to Georgia. However, this does not mean that the threat will not be raised. We are doing our utmost to minimize the threats through continued cooperation with the World Health Organisation,” Tikaradze said.
Georgian Economy Minister Natia Nurnava says that flights from China are likely to be temporarily suspended as the number of total cases confirmed by China rose to 4,515 as of 27 January, up from 2,835 a day earlier.
Information has been provided by BBC.
Measures taken by the Georgian government to prevent the virus
Air passengers from China have been checked at Georgian airports over the past several days.
Information brochures are being handed at the airports about the virus.
Health personnel have begun checking the areas around the country where Chinese citizens live.
Gov't announces alleged suspension of flights from China. Photo: Health Ministry press office.
What is the new coronavirus?
The virus, which first emerged in Wuhan, China in late 2019, causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms mostly start with a fever, followed by a dry cough.
Within a week’s time some people may experience shortness of breath and need hospital treatment.
The virus itself is a new, or "novel" coronavirus - a family that normally affects animals, BBC reports.
The effect of the coronavirus family on humans has long been observed mainly in the form of the common cold. In recent decades though, more serious coronaviruses - like Sars or Mers - have proven potentially deadly to humans,” BBC said.
The new coronavirus, which is thought to have emerged from illegally traded wildlife at a seafood market in Wuhan, can spread between people.
The incubation period can range from two to 10 days.
Unlike Chinese health officials, the World Health Organization says that it remains unclear whether the virus is contagious before symptoms appear.
Georgia's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has launched preventive measures against the China-born coronavirus in places populated by Chinese all over the country.
The Georgian Health Ministry has dismissed reports by Georgian media outlet Alia that medical personnel have refused to check air passengers at Tbilisi International Airport for a new strain of the China-born coronavirus “due to a lack of proper equipment and safety guarantees.”Alia cited one of the doctors as saying that medical personnel were not given proper safety equipment during the checks at the airport “which places our and the lives of our family members at risk” if an infected individual comes into the country.
Head of the Georgian National Disease Control Centre Amiran Gamkrelidze stated earlier today that there is a ‘low chance” that a new strain of a coronavirus which has killed nine in China may reach Georgia.
Seventeen people have died because of the H1N1 acute respiratory illness in Georgia, which is also known as swine flu, the Georgian National Disease Control Centre says.
Import of live animals from China have been banned to prevent transmission and spread of the China-born coronavirus on the territory of Georgia, reports the Georgian Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture.
Georgia temporarily suspends direct flights with China to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Georgia, the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency (GCAA) reports. The suspension of flights will be in place until March 29 of 2020.Chinese aviation authorities and the airline company China Southern have already been notified about the flight suspension.
Two Chinese sailors in Georgia’s seaside city of Batumi will be observed by medics of the National Disease Control Centre (NCDC) to avoid the threats of spreading coronavirus, said the head of the NCDC, Amiran Gamkrelidze today.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said that the healthcare system is ready to efficiently respond to the challenge of the coronavirus if it appears in Georgia.
Turkey will evacuate seven Georgian citizens, together with its 34, seven Azerbaijani and one Albanian citizens from Wuhan, Hubei province of China - the epicentre of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, Turkish media outlets report. Georgia has already suspended direct flights with China and stated earlier this week that it would find ways how to evacuate it citizens from Wuhan.
Georgia still remains in the low-risk zone for the spread of the coronavirus, though the National Disease Control Centre has begun strengthening efforts in order to efficiently respond to the recent China-born coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, Amiran Gamkrelidze, the head of the National Disease Control Centre (NCDC) has announced today.
The Georgian government has brought back 4,500 Georgian citizens from different coronavirus-hit areas since the COVID-19 outbreak began worldwide.