I.Metshin: “Everyone should be responsible in the daily work on prevention the spread of virus”

A preparatory work in the case of the spread of coronavirus infection is carried out at medical facilities of Kazan. Today, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin at Business Monday called on citizens to take precautions to avoid spreading infection and, if possible, to avoid visiting public places.

As at 23 March, 338 thousand people are infected with a virus COVID-19 in the world, reports the deputy Minister of health of Tatarstan –Vladimir Zhavoronkov.

In Russia, as at 22 March (12:00), 306 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection were registered. All Russian regions are divided into groups based on the threat of infection, and Tatarstan ranks tenth among high-risk regions.

“The issue is that infected person may not pay attention to the symptoms, such as a runny nose, a cold, a slight itchy throat, - said V.Zhavoronkov. – The only distinctive symptom is loss of smell and taste. But the virus can be asymptomatic as well -these people pose a danger of spreading the virus".

All measures are being taken to halt coronavirus infection in the republic and its capital, V.Zhavoronkov noted.

The Republican clinical infectious diseases hospital has 309 beds for providing care to infectious patients, and 163 beds have been additionally set up in the clinical hospital-2 for patients with bronchopulmonary complications of ARVI. If necessary, another 726 beds will be set up in the city's hospitals.

“All patients with pneumonia are tested for COVID-19 at the center for hygiene and epidemiology in Tatarstan – said V. Zhavoronkov. – The republic has developed a plan for the gradual conversion of the city's hospitals and the deployment of intensive care beds. As at 23 March, 1339 citizens are under medical supervision of polyclinics”.

The decision to introduce quarantine measures is taken only at the Federal level, said V. Zhavoronkov. Presently, citizens who arrived from unfavorable countries in terms of the spread of coronavirus are being quarantined. They are quarantined for 14 days from the date of arrival – during this period they are under medical supervision at home. They are also tested for COVID-19.

Kazan citizens are strongly recommended to follow preventive services and personal hygiene.

"Special attention should be paid to prevention of the elderly people– 60 plus. It is our mothers and fathers, grandparents who are at high risk, they may have dangerous complications", – V.Zhavoronkov said.

Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin urged citizens to observe all preventive measures. “No one should have any illusions that all this will pass us by. The only question is how ready we are for this – I.Metshin added. – We are moving to a new format of life. In this fight, in this work against the spread of coronavirus, everyone must be responsible. Let's observe all the rules, do not visit crowded places, and, if possible, avoid using public transport”.

The work on implementation of distance learning at schools, universities and colleges of the city is underway, the Mayor reminded. Besides, public transport is being disinfected, and the city's ambulance service has additionally allocated 15 vehicles to provide medical care at home.