Oleksiy Danilov: In the conditions of growing seasonal flu incidence on the background of the Covid-19 epidemic, the medical system must be ready to accept children first of all
Given the seasonal increase in the number of patients with flu, which will occur against the background of the epidemic of coronavirus disease, hospitals must provide the required number of children's beds first of all.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov stressed this during a regular conference call with the heads of regional state administrations on the prevention of the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus infection.
The Secretary of the Council stressed that according to the forecasts of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, four flu strains are expected this year. He reminded that in recent years, 280 000 people, 65% of whom were children, were hospitalized with flu.
Mr. Danilov also stressed the need to take measures to ensure the reliable operation of ventilators in low temperatures.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal informed about the situation with the disease throughout the country and in each region. According to him, another “anti-record” has been set today – almost 6000 patients with COVID-19. In total, since the beginning of the epidemic in Ukraine, 287 231 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were detected, of which 5408 were lethal, 121 919 patients have recovered. 2 729 496 PCR tests were conducted.
The participants of the meeting, involving, in particular, Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov, Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov, Head of the National Police Ihor Klymenko, Acting Minister of Education and Science Serhiy Shkarlet discussed the issue of providing patients with COVID-19 with oxygen; readiness of the medical system to the increase in the number of patients with coronavirus disease; deployment of temporary mobile hospitals in the regions if necessary; full funding of allowances for physicians involved in combating the epidemic; organization of the election process and voting in the local elections on October 25, this year taking into account all the recommendations of the Ministry of Health.
It was emphasized that local authorities have every opportunity to effectively curb the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Heads of regional state administrations should make proposals based on the results of the meeting as soon as possible.