Health official: circulation of Omicron coronavirus variant increasing in Georgia
Gamkrelidze also stated that of 144 individuals infected with the Omicron variant, four are undergoing treatment at hospitals. Photo: NCDC Georgia.
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Head of the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) of Georgia Amiran Gamkrelidze says that circulation of the Omicron coronavirus variant is increasing in the country following the confirmation of 144 Omicron variant cases.
Gamkrelidze told local news agency Interpressnews that cases of new Omicron coronavirus variant are three times more than the official statistics show, noting that ‘only PCR results are examined’ for this variant and not results from rapid tests.
He also stated that of 144 individuals infected with the Omicron variant, four are undergoing treatment at hospitals.
All [144] cases are mild, 12 of which are children and adolescents under 18 years of age…The average age is about 37-38 years,” said Gamkrelidze, adding that 70% are fully vaccinated.
Georgia has registered 943 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, with overall active cases at 21,667, of which 147 cases have been laboratory-confirmed as of January 2.
Gamkrelidze also states that ‘everything should be done’ to vaccinate 80%-90% of people over 60 years of age in 2022 in order to reduce the mortality rate caused by coronavirus in the country.
Overall, 1,123,129 people have been fully vaccinated in Georgia so far.
The Georgian government planned to vaccinate 60% of the country’s population by the end of 2021; however, about 40% of the country’s adult population is fully vaccinated as of today.
NCDC calls on the country’s population to reduce movement and social activities during the holidays.
Georgia has reported 943 new Covid-19 cases, 2,789 recoveries, and 37 deaths in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate for the past 14 days stands at 5.50%. Overall 21,667 remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia.
The number of total Covid-19 Omicron variant cases has risen to 51 as of December 26 in Georgia, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported earlier today.
Georgia confirmed the first two cases of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus earlier today. The new strain, which was detected in South Africa last month, has been classified as a ‘variant of concern’ by the World Health Organization (WHO)The WHO says that Omicron has an ‘unprecedented number of spike mutations’, which is concerning due to the potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic.
Deputy head of Georgia’s National Center for Disease Control, Paata Imnadze, says that the new variant of coronavirus dubbed Omicron is ‘very likely’ to infect many, ‘particularly unvaccinated’ individuals, and there will be more of a need for hospital beds than at present.
Georgia is expecting to receive special PCR tests from international partners to diagnose the new Omicron variant of coronavirus which was detected in South Africa last month and was classified as a ‘variant of concern’ by the World Health Organization (WHO), Head of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Amiran Gamkrelidze stated earlier today.
Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili, appointed to the post on December 27, has stated earlier today that the Georgian healthcare system is ‘fully mobilised and ready to face any challenges,’ if Omicron variant cases increase significantly.
Head of Georgia's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Amiran Gamkrelidze stated earlier today that the new Omicron variant of coronavirus accounts for 60% of total Covid-19 cases confirmed today in Tbilisi, while in the regions of Georgia the rate stands at 30%.
Georgia has reported 5,596 new cases of coronavirus, 2,946 recoveries and 47 deaths in the past 24 hours. The weekly positivity rate for tested individuals stands at 9.63%.
Georgia has reported 5,326 new Covid-19 cases, 3,044 recoveries, and 48 deaths in the past 24 hours. The positivity rate for the past 14 days has increased to 8.86%. Overall 42,439 remain infected with coronavirus in Georgia.
Georgia has reported 5,567 new Covid-19 cases, 1,661 recoveries, and 36 deaths in the past 24 hours. The positivity rate for the past 14 days has increased to 9.14%. Overall 46,309 remain infected with coronavirus in Georgia.
Amiran Gamkrelidze, the Head of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control, on Monday confirmed media reports on his resignation after being in office since early 2013.