It is expected that the incidence of COVID-19 in Ukraine will increase for a few weeks more, so citizens should be more actively vaccinated to protect themselves from severe disease. This was discussed during a conference call at the Office of the President of Ukraine.
According to the government, more than 242,000 cases of coronavirus were registered last week, which is 44% more than a week earlier.
The incidence of COVID-19 in Ukraine is rising for the fourth week in a row, and the growth is projected to continue for several weeks. Peak rates are expected in the fifth or sixth week.
According to Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko, the number of children's beds for young patients with COVID-19 has been increased in medical institutions.
In general, the number of people hospitalized with coronavirus disease is growing in a controlled manner: 27 thousand people last week compared to 24 thousand - the week before.
The head of the Ministry of Health reiterated that a minimum number of vaccinated people require intensive care. This once again confirms the effectiveness of vaccinations. So the government has once again called on citizens to be aware and get vaccinated to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy.
Viktor Lyashko also noted that there are currently enough vaccines from different manufacturers in the regions of Ukraine: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, and recently another batch of CoronaVac vaccine was delivered.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov proposed to conduct an audit of vaccine residues and determine the necessary volume of purchases of new batches, taking into account the pace of vaccination.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal asked about the payment of increased salaries to medical workers. Viktor Lyashko reported that, according to the National Health Service of Ukraine, all primary care and emergency care physicians already received increased payments.
The Minister also said that the hotlines are working, and all complaints received there are promptly considered.
Denys Shmyhal instructed the Ministry of Health together with the State Labor Service of Ukraine to develop tools for effective resolution of problematic issues with payments to local doctors and, if necessary, to take measures against unscrupulous chief physicians.
Also this week, the National Health Service of Ukraine began payments to medical institutions under agreements signed in January.
Denys Shmyhal also noted that this week the government will decide to expand the "eSupport" program initiated by the President: in addition to people over 60, people with disabilities of groups I and II will be able to buy medications at the expense of state funds. It will also be possible to spend UAH 1,000 on utilities in the near future.
In total, UAH 7.8 billion was transferred to Ukrainians under the eSupport program.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Finance to make a forecast of payments for booster vaccination.