Opinions & Interviews

Minister: Belarus is ready for third wave of COVID-19

MINSK, 2 March (BelTA) – The healthcare system of Belarus is prepared for the third wave of the coronavirus infection, Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich said on the air of the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA informs.

“The caseload is expected to somewhat increase. The pandemic is characterized by waves of activity spread. And the influenza virus is joining,” Dmitry Pinevich said. However, the situation remains under control due to the fact that 40% of the population was vaccinated against influenza. In addition to that, the number of arrivals in the country is small. “We are closely monitoring strains  [new COVID-19 variants]. Neither British nor South African variants have been reported in Belarus. We are monitoring how the situation is evolving in the West and in the East,” the minister added.

Belarusian doctors count on immunization in their efforts to combat coronavirus. “It should produce results. Sputnik V is an excellent vaccine; Belarus was the first country outside the Russian Federation to register it. The vaccine has been approved for use in people over 60 years old. This is very important for us. We have also received a good vaccine from China. The first validation batches of the Sputnik V vaccine were bottled at the Belmedpreparaty facilities on Friday. I think we will receive a commercial batch of the vaccine at the end of March,” Dmitry Pinevich concluded.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks