The situation with the spread of COVID-19 in Ukraine, accelerating the vaccination process and combating forgery of PCR tests and vaccination certificates was discussed by participants of the conference call chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal noted that 90,079 new cases of COVID-19 were registered in the country last week, while 64,606 cases were detected a week earlier. Thus, the dynamics of growth continues, the biggest number of patients was registered on Thursday - 16,362.
"The number of tests has increased. Last week, 310,000 PCR tests, 285,000 rapid tests and 60,000 ELISA tests were performed. 721,000 vaccinations were carried out last week," the head of government said.
At the meeting, the President was informed about the course of vaccination, as well as the possibility of amending the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on special measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. In particular, the possibility of visiting public dining facilities only in the presence of a vaccination certificate is among the discussed changes. The same will apply to the use of rail, bus and air transport for interregional communication.
The participants of the meeting stressed that the only way to avoid a complete lockdown in Ukraine is vaccination. Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko noted that currently about 97% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
"This is a confirmation of the effectiveness of vaccination," he said.
The leadership of the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine reported to the President on the fight against forgery of PCR tests and COVID certificates. It was also stated that there is an intention to conduct random inspections of compliance with quarantine restrictions in public dining facilities, cinemas and other places of mass gathering of people.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated the need for explanatory work on all measures, including restrictions to be introduced, and the promotion of vaccination among Ukrainians through a large-scale information campaign.
During the meeting, Viktor Lyashko also spoke about the introduction of the e-Stock electronic inventory management system for medicines and medical devices, which will provide information on the availability of certain drugs in domestic hospitals. The President asked Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov to join the process in order to speed up the launch of this system.