"If residents of the city neglect restrictions, the situation may become more complicated" - the epidemiologist of Almaty on the situation with COVID-19

"If residents of the city neglect restrictions, the situation may become more complicated" - the epidemiologist of Almaty on the situation with COVID-19

A number of countries are tightening restrictive measures due to the spread of a new strain of coronavirus and a difficult epidemiological situation in the world. In the Netherlands, authorities have decided to extend the country's strict lockdown until March 2, due to the British strain of coronavirus. The Portuguese authorities have extended the previously imposed state of emergency until February 14. The countries of the European Union are also tightening the rules for entry from countries where new mutations of the coronavirus are common.

 

As for the current epidemiological situation in Almaty, Deputy Head of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the city, Asel Kalykova, answered questions about compliance with sanitary and epidemiological standards, statistics of coronavirus.

 

- The city of Almaty is now in the "green" zone. So the danger has dissipated?

 

- The location of the city of Almaty in the "green" zone indicates a decrease in the number of diseases that are registered daily in the system of special monitoring of healthcare institutions. But it cannot be said that the risk of infection has been reduced, because the COVID-19 coronavirus tends to spread rapidly if special precautions are not taken. Therefore, the latest resolution of the Chief Sanitary Doctor of Almaty established restrictions corresponding to some part of the “yellow” zone in the city. If city residents ignore these restrictions, the situation may become more complicated.

 

- What security measures should the townspeople follow? Are there any virus protection methods still in place?

 

- Citizens know how to be precautious: refrain from hosting special events, avoid crowded places, ensure the use of medical masks, keep your hands clean, do not touch your face, observe personal hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly, if opportunities for hand hygiene are not available - use hand sanitizers.

 

- How is the "green", "red", "yellow" zones determined according to statistics?

 

- Areas of the epidemic situation are determined using a special computer program, which is used by the National Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health. We cannot interfere with the work on establishing the indicated zones. This center, daily, analyzes data from monitoring reports of laboratory results, taking into account the number of registered positive results, the population of the region and other factors.