Against the backdrop of the vaccinations that have already begun, it is necessary to continue to comply with all restrictive measures - the epidemiologist appealed to Almaty residents

Against the backdrop of the vaccinations that have already begun, it is necessary to continue to comply with all restrictive measures - the epidemiologist appealed to Almaty residents
What are the chances of the spread of different new strains of coronavirus in the country? How long is the duration of the pandemic? What is the current epidemiological situation in the city? Asel Kalykova, Deputy Head of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of Almaty City, spoke to the Regional Communications Service about this and much more
 
What is the epidemiological situation in the city now? Where do Almaty residents most often get infected with coronavirus? What is the age structure of the patients?
 
The epidemiological situation in Almaty is tense. Since January 31, Almaty has been in the "green" zone of the matrix for assessing the epidemiological situation. But today, according to the rate of development of the coronavirus epidemic, Almaty has a reproductive number R - 0.949, i.e. very close to 1.0, in case of exceeding that mark, we will go into the "yellow" zone. In this regard, the restrictive measures established by the Resolution of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Almaty city No. 3 dated January 31, 2021 "On further restrictive measures to prevent coronavirus infection and their gradual mitigation in Almaty" continue to operate, corresponding to the " yellow "area of ​​the matrix.
Epidemiological investigations have established an increase in infection in public places by 5.1% (from 38.6 to 43.7%), associated with an increase in visits to public places with warm weather and by 2% in families (from 28% to 30%). There is an increase in infections during family events (kudalyks, parties, etc.) - 16 cases (2.2%) per week, which indicates a decrease in vigilance and precautions among the population. The infection rate in public transport remained the same at 20-22%.
The incidence among the ages remains the same - most often citizens from 20 to 40 years old - 39%, from 40 to 50 years old - 25% and over 60 years old - 21%. Children under 14 years old make up 11% of cases, youth 15-19 years old - 4%.
 
Almaty is now in the "green" zone. The situation has relatively stabilized. Nevertheless, the city is in no hurry to ease quarantine measures. What should be a prerequisite for lifting the restriction?
 
To remove the restrictions, the epidemiological situation in Almaty should stabilize so as to move away from the reproductive number R, equal to 1.0. This is only possible by reducing infections in public places, in transport and in families. For this, the citizens of Almaty should not lose vigilance and should not relax, observe the mask regime and social distance, use less public transport, avoid crowded places if possible, and refrain from holding commemorative events.
 
What is the situation with infections in public transport? Residents of the city ask themselves: why are they reducing the number of buses in the conditions of COVID? Is this issue monitored by the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control?
 
As already mentioned, one of the most common places of infection is public transport - in the first week of February this year; 22% of cases indicated this. There is no fact of reducing the number of buses in the conditions of COVID, the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of Almaty does not limit the number of buses on the lines, and the time of their operation. This issue is controlled by the Mobility Department of the Akimat of Almaty.
 
Earlier, it was reported that public places account for about 40% of infections. Is this related to the decision to limit the activities of the shopping and entertainment centers on Sundays, as well as to regulate the occupancy rate of 20% in the cinema and theaters? What percentage of the infections occur at these objects?
 
The decision to restrict the activities of the shopping and entertainment centers on Sundays, as well as to regulate the occupancy rate of 20% in the cinema and theaters, while being in the "yellow" zone, for particular regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was determined by the chief state sanitary doctor of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Resolution No. 68 of December 25, 2020, after the consideration of the issue at a meeting of the interdepartmental government commission. In Almaty, the chief state sanitary doctor is not authorized to mitigate the established regime, which is spelled out in subparagraph 22 of paragraph 2 of the same decree, as well as paragraph 4 - has the right to make decisions on toughening quarantine measures depending on the emerging epidemiological situation. Epidemiological investigations have shown that shopping and entertainment centers account for 22% of cases of infections, 9 cases are associated with cinemas since the beginning of the year.
 
Some experts have reported the phenomenon of "pandemic fatigue." This allegedly explains the incomplete observance of sanitary standards, violation of the mask regime, all kinds of festivities. Do you think we have something like this in the city of Almaty and, in general, once again: is it necessary to continue to comply with all these restrictive measures against the backdrop of vaccination that has already started?
 
We fully agree with this statement. There is a loss of “fear” of COVID-19 by the population, often incomplete compliance with sanitary standards, violation of the mask regime, all kinds of festivities, as evidenced by the results of raid checks of monitoring groups. Against the backdrop of the vaccination that has already started, it is imperative to continue to comply with all these restrictive measures until we get the results of herd immunity.