The chief physicians of a number of medical institutions in Ukraine sometimes force staff to conceal COVID-19 infection at work as they are afraid of administrative penalties for hospitals. This was announced to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a traditional conference call.
"This is a dangerous and unacceptable situation. The Ministry of Health must take immediate measures and protect doctors who are forced to lie and conceal coronavirus infection by leadership of hospitals," the President stressed.
The President also asked about the issue of providing pupils with personal protective equipment, as he receives a lot of information about its insufficient quantity in schools. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal assured that in the regional centers such institutions are fully equipped with everything necessary for protection against coronavirus infection in accordance with the algorithm developed by the government for safe education in schools. He reminded that children should not wear masks during lessons, masks should be worn only during breaks.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged to take into account information on child protection throughout Ukraine, not just in regional centers. He also asked about the impact of studying on the spread of coronavirus infection. Denys Shmyhal answered that over the past 24 hours 149 cases of children's infection have been registered in Ukraine, although this figure was usually about 100 in the summer. However, according to the Prime Minister, this increase of September 2 is not indicative of the impact of the start of studying on the spread of COVID-19. Denys Shmyhal said that the Cabinet of Ministers would conduct an appropriate audit during the first two weeks of classes to understand how safe schooling is.