President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian authorities reacted timely to the coronavirus pandemic and introduced important quarantine measures to keep the epidemiological situation in the country moderate compared to many European countries. But things can get worse in case of large crowds during Easter.
“Easter is a very important, top-priority holiday. But we have a different survival format. So we have to be fast, technological. I respect all holidays, all Ukrainians, but I am sure that we have no other step than to celebrate this holiday at home. For it not to turn into a disaster, God forbid. Because it can be a wave. We haven’t had the first big wave yet. But in the world they already say that there is a second wave, and a third one is possible,” the Head of State said during the talk show “Freedom of Speech by Savik Shuster”.
The President stresses that if people do not observe quarantine during Easter, go to churches and do not take care of their safety and the safety of their loved ones, the COVID-19 outbreak and a significant increase in the number of patients may happen.
"If there are large crowds and the wave appears right after Easter, we can have terrible statistics - from 2 to 10 percent of the whole population infected," Volodymyr Zelensky, noting that if the number of patients increases to such indicators, doctors will have to choose whom to save.
The Head of State is convinced that Ukraine will manage to survive the epidemic of coronavirus with a relatively small number of patients and victims if people adhere to quarantine measures and conditions of self-isolation after returning from abroad and so on.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that since the first day of the threat of coronavirus in Ukraine, the Office of the President has been actively involved in providing the healthcare system with the necessary medical means. In particular, more than 20 planes were sent to China and other countries to deliver protection means, coronavirus tests and other special equipment to Ukraine.
“Since the first day of the coronavirus threat, the President's Office has brought over 700,000 respirators and over 120,000 protective suits. Glasses for doctors in hub hospitals where patients with coronavirus disease are brought - 60 thousand. Gloves - 7 million pairs, thermometers - 20 thousand, PCR tests - 250 thousand, rapid tests - 550 thousand, reagents - 200 thousand. This weekend we bring: respirators - 350 thousand, protective suits - 105 thousand, reagents - 800 thousand, raw materials for the production of Ukrainian tests. Overall, we have about 5 planes a week,” the Head of State said.