Kyiv Mayor’s Coronavirus Update – September 28, 2020
28.09.2020
The mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko held a briefing providing an update on the coronavirus situation in Ukraine’s capital and the measures the city is taking to respond.
Klitschko: Over the past 24 hours, there are another 328 COVID-19 cases, brіngіng thеіr total number to 22,143. 369 have died from the infection so far, with eight overnight.
164 new cases are among femаlеs, bеtwееn 18-87 yeas old, 128 among males (18-92 years old) and 36 among children. There are also nine medical professionals who got infected with the virus. 43 patients are admitted to hospitals.
The number of recoveries grew to 6,505, with 23 over the past 24 hours.
The majority of new cases came from Darnytsky and Obolonsky districts, 66 and 52 respectively.
The coronavirus hospitalisation rate is not dropping. 1,150 patients, including 22 children in total are admitted to hospitals. 258 of them are seriously ill, 22 are on an invasive ventilator and 250 need oxygen therapy. More 130 in-patients have suspected COVID-19 infection. 590 have been hospitalised with pneumonia.
Unfortunately, the number of younger patients infected with coronavirus is growing faster than earlier. We have registered 1,592 children cases in Kyiv so far, 674 of them only over the past four weeks. It is more than 42% of all confirmed infections in kids of all ages. But still, mоst саsеs are іn сhіldrеn bеtwееn 5 and 14 years old. A few days old baby has become the youngest infected patient.
Mostly, children have mild symptoms and do not need hospital treatment. But they easily spread the infection and can infect their families and friends. This is why I am appealing to all parents to observe their children’s health and teach them some health tips.
Schools reopening has lead to an increase in new infections among students and staffers even though schools comply with the strict health and safety protocols.
Currently, six schools in Kyiv are temporarily closed due to the positive cases among teachers. 290 classes in 126 schools across the city are back to remote learning due to virus transmissions among students. 346 school students and 190 teachers are active coronavirus cases so far.
Also, quarantined are 23 kindergarten classes and three nursery schools in Pechersky, Sviatoshynsky and Desniansky districts. The current kindergarten attendance rate is over 52%.
Sometimes people suggest that we mandatorily test all teachers and students every two weeks. As you may know, the Health Ministry of Ukraine issued the protocol according to which only people with COVID-19 symptoms are eligible for testing. Only medical professionals can decide who should get tested.
The testing capacity for COVID-19 is already the highest in Ukraine and stands at 223 tests performed per 100,000 population.
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should contact a family doctor who will decide whether a test is needed and send a mobile response group to collect the samples. Such people as well as those admitted to the municipal hospitals with suspected COVID-19 diagnosis are being tested at no cost. You can address any complaints or concerns about the testing to the hotline of the municipal Health Department (044) 278 41 91.
The most important thing you can do today is to follow the basic hygiene measures and rules. Such simple things as washing hands, wearing facial masks, using sanitizers and avoiding crowds can help you stay safe.