Out of every 1,000 people who become infected, 10 to 13 will die, says Deputy Director of NCDC

By Khatia Bzhalava

Tuesday, August 24

As of August 23, 87 Covid patients are being treated at the Digomi field hospital, which started receiving patients on July 20.

Georgia reported 2,354 new cases of coronavirus, 5,200 recoveries, and 60 deaths yesterday.

On Monday, Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze held a meeting with the representatives of the clinics involved in Covid-19 management in Kakheti focusing on the readiness of the hospital sector and the set up of field hospitals across the region amid increasing infection rate.

As Tikaradze stated, the Interagency Council will review the issue of the Covid-19 booster shot, leading to changes in the Georgian protocol. The Minister also discussed the resumption of the studying process and noted that at least 80% of school staff must be vaccinated to consider schools as safe places for pupils.

Tikaradze announced yesterday that another field hospital had opened in Tbilisi, which will be able to receive up to 200 patients and is fully supplied with oxygen. If necessary, the arrangement of a temporary placement space in Kakheti is also considered. Currently, 87 Covid patients are being treated at the Digomi field hospital, which was opened on July 20.

As Deputy Director of the National Centre for Disease Control of Georgia (NCDC) Paata Imnadze stated yesterday, the epidemic situation in Kakheti may worsen, which will be related to the grape harvesting period in the region and low level of engagement in the vaccination process.

According to him, due to the worsened epidemiological situation, tightening the coronavirus regulations will be considered, however, a lockdown is not under discussion. According to him, the epidemiological situation has been stabilized in the Georgian capital Tbilisi and the Black Sea resort town of Batumi, but no such progress has been observed in other regions of Georgia. He announced that out of every 1,000 people who become infected, 10 to 13 will die.

As of August 23, a total of 979,813 people received vaccine jabs in Georgia, 24.0% of the adult population has been vaccinated with at least 1 dose, whilst only 10.3% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated. Georgia reported 2,354 new cases of coronavirus, 5,200 recoveries, and 60 deaths yesterday.