I. Metshin: "We want to do without the quarantine, but health is more important. We will monitor the situation"

(Kazan City KZN.RU, February 1). Today in Kazan 22 cases of influenza were confirmed, including 8 pregnant women and 11 children. The chief of Health Department of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan in Kazan Ilnar Halfiev told about how urban hospitals are prepared to receive patients with SARS and influenza, and how to be protected in terms of excess of epidemiological bound today on traditional stuff meeting in the Executive Committee.

According I.Halfiev, if last year the registration of influenza began with the eighth week from the beginning of the year, this year's first case of influenza was reported in the second week. On the third week of 2016 epidemiological bound is exceeded by 53%. "On the basis of data on the incidence of the 4 days of the fourth week in 2016 it can be assumed that the number of cases of SARS in the fourth week will be more than at third," - he said.

Also head of the city Department of Health talked about how the work of medical institutions in Kazan is organized. "In every polyclinic filters work to distinguish the flow of patients with symptoms of SARS and influenza. Additional phone lines for making calls are allocated in the clinics of the city, the information on the additional telephone numbers is posted on the website of the Ministry of Health of Tatarstan. Restrictive measures, mask mode are introduced in all hospitals of Kazan, operation of children's clinics is transformed on a seven-day work mode, time of receptions at homes increased,"- he said.

Also headquarters of the Department of Health operates in the city, which coordinates the interaction of medical institutions. So, routing of patients with symptoms of influenza and SARS is designed in the city, extra beds for hospitalization of patients with severe and moderate forms of the SARS and influenza deployed. Together with the Department of Education of Kazan work with school principals and heads of kindergartens on the organization of work during the rise of morbidity was held. In addition, a daily monitoring on appeals to ambulance and medical institutions is carried out. And from January 29 interns and residents of KSMU are involved to the work in health care institutions.

"Currently, all hospitals Kazan have antiviral drugs and antibiotics in case of complications of influenza in full stock. We work in a high incidence, but at the moment there are no problems in the health facilities"- I.Halfiev summed up.

He also recalled that the rules of preventive measures in the conditions of a flu epidemic are quite simple: to wash hands as often as possible, use disinfectant wipes, do not take food with dirty hands, do not touch the face, to sneeze into the crook of the elbow in the absence of a tissue. "Try to stay away from sick people at a distance of less than a meter, to wear a mask in the transport and crowded places. Do not go to public places unless absolutely necessary,"- head of the department recommended.

Mayor Ilsur Metshin urged citizens to implement the recommendations of doctors, especially in places of mass gatherings. "It is necessary to wash hands frequently, to wear masks and lead a healthy lifestyle! We are the sporty capital, we do not have to be ill! We would like to do without quarantine definitely not to throw students out the educational process, but health is more important, so we will monitor the situation carefully, and most importantly - take preventive measures,"- the Mayor said.