Belarus Strengthened Disease Surveillance And Control Because Of Coronavirus

At the moment, 542 people are under medical monitoring.

Since February 24, the Ministry of Health of Belarus has strengthened the sanitary-epidemiological supervision in connection with the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in the European region and other countries, the press service of the agency informed, racyja.com reports.

"Stronger sanitary and quarantine control and medical supervision of people coming from Italy has been organized. Amendments have been made to the "Comprehensive plan of measures to prevent the entry and spread of coronavirus COVID-19," additional measures have been taken with regard to citizens arriving from the countries subject to quarantine, - the agency reported. - In particular, enhanced security measures, an additional point of sanitary and quarantine control and the collection of material for laboratory studies has been organized at Minsk National Airport. Ministry of Health of Belarus recommends its citizens to refrain from visiting those regions of northern Italy, where quarantine has been declared.

The release notes that head of the Ministry of Health Uladzimir Karanik has held a meeting today, attended by deputy ministers of sports and tourism. The officials specified the schedule of foreign athletes' stay in Belarus, discussed the transfer of delegations during the international competitions, developed a plan providing for "additional activities" for athletes and delegation members.

As of February 24, 568,519 people had undergone sanitary control at the state border of Belarus, including 1,137 people who'd been to China for the previous 14 days. 27 people showed symptoms of respiratory disease, whereas the results of laboratory tests were negative.

A total of 82 people who had previously been to China had symptoms of acute respiratory infection. They were all hospitalized at infectious disease hospitals, where they received the necessary medical care and underwent laboratory tests. "In six cases, influenza viruses (Influenza B and Influenza A (H1N1)) were identified, in one case - other respiratory viruses, in six cases - mycaplasma, in one case - mix infection (Influenza A (H1N1) + mycaplasma). In 68 cases, the results of tests for viruses were negative," - the press service of the Ministry of Health notes.

Now there are 542 people subject to medical surveillance in the country. The medical supervision of 712 people has been completed.

Recently, 325 students from China, studying in Belarusian universities, have arrived in Belarus. "Of these, 141 students are now under medical supervision in the Bryhantsina sports and recreation centre and in the Zahorje regional medical rehabilitation center in Minsk. The medical supervision of 184 students has been completed," - the agency informs.

As of February 24, 196 workers from China had arrived at the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation, and 69 workers - at the industrial park Vialiki Kamen. They are temporarily isolated in separate rooms and are under the medical supervision. "These people have no symptoms of infectious diseases," - the press service says.

According to the State Health Commission of China, 77,262 cases had been registered as of 8:00, February 24. It was announced that the threat level of coronavirus in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces had decreased from the first (highest) level to the third, in Guangdong and Shanxi - from the first to the second. Earlier, the medical authorities of Gansu and Liaoning Provinces announced the reduction of the danger level.

2 101 cases have been confirmed in 28 countries (Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Libya, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, UAE, USA, Vietnam).