Disease Control Centre: Georgia remains in low-risk zone for spread of new coronavirus

The incubation period of the virus is two weeks. It causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms mostly start with fever, followed by a dry cough. Photo: foxnews.com.

Agenda.ge, 24 Feb 2020 - 17:06, Tbilisi,Georgia

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.

 There were 24 possible cases of coronavirus in Georgia. All the patients were hospitalized in Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital, samples were taken in order to diagnose whether they were negative for the new coronavirus or not. Georgia has no cases as of now, though we have started strengthening all the resources… Iran is closer than China, so it may be more threatening for Georgia”, said Gamkrelidze.

Iran’s health ministry announced that the death toll from the new coronavirus reached twelve yesterday.

Gamkrelidze has recommended the Georgian citizens to avoid travelling to the high-risk zone countries, unless necessary. He also asked journalists not to use the term ‘killer virus’ in relation to the new coronavirus.

Georgia still remains in the low-risk zone, but we have increased preventive measures”, the head of the NCDC said. 

The Government of Georgia has made a decision to suspend direct flights with Iran amid the recent coronavirus outbreak.

Iranian tourists currently staying in Georgia will be delivered home by empty planes that will be allowed to enter the Georgian air space. All the individuals who were in Iran during the last two weeks will be consulted by epidemiologists in order to diagnose whether they have any flu symptoms or high temperature.

The new virus is thought to have emerged from illegally traded wildlife at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. The virus has spread to 30 foreign states, with Georgia having no cases as of now.

The incubation period of the virus is two weeks. It causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms mostly start with fever, followed by a dry cough.