Kyiv Mayor’s Coronavirus Update – April 17, 2020
17.04.2020
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: 61 more laboratory confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported in the past 24 hours, reaching 705 in total. Again two 12-year old boys and seven medics are among the infected. And I am happy to report 30 more recoveries.
New cases are 31 females aged 20-97 and 28 males aged 19-71. 16 patients were admitted to the city’s hospitals, others are staying at home
There are seven new coronavirus cases among Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra clergymen. The Kyiv Emergency Commission will quarantine also the Ioninsky monastery as a new coronavirus cluster. Medics were sent there to examine the clergy and detect other suspected cases.
Let me remind that the city tightens the restriction measures for the festive period as of tomorrow. The restrictions include a ban for visiting churches, cemeteries and public recreation spaces. The police and the Municipal Guard will help enforce the compliance with a new order and intensify patrols during Easter.
I do know about the congested entry checkpoints caused by temperature screening. We have notified the public of the enhanced restrictions around Easter, including the health checks at nine city’s entry points. We have warned people against coming to Kyiv without good reason, but not all abided.
Let me remind that travellers with a fever over 37.5˚C are ordered to self-isolate for 14 days. People whose body temperature exceeds 38˚C undergo a doctor’s examination and can be tested for coronavirus.
As of yesterday the police together with health care workers check the body temperature of the arriving drivers and passengers. They detected 40 individuals with fever. Six of them were examined by ambulance physicians. All ill travellers were denied entry to Kyiv and encouraged to self-quarantine at home and inform their local healthcare workers. Please, respect the rules!
Over again I advise everyone against coming. Stop travelling in Kyiv with no valid reason. If you still have to, please keep in mind that you may be asked to wait in line at the entry checkpoint.
Look at the situation in neighbouring Belarus. They did not cancel any events and massive gatherings, festivals and sports competitions were proceeding as planned until the last week. Yesterday the number of coronavirus cases reached over 4,000 there which is more than in Ukraine. And the virus is spreading further.
We are doing all this to control the situation and prevent the spike after Easter. If we keep following the rules, the restrictions will be lifted sooner.
For over three weeks now we have been testing patients with various pneumonia diagnoses for the coronavirus. Currently, there are over 400 such individuals whose samples are being tested for the virus using a polymerase chain reaction test. It brings their total number to more than 1,500 and over 300 of them have tested positive for the COVID-19.
But, according to physicians, not all people with pneumonia are coronavirus positive. Pneumonia is a very serious infection, so please take it seriously. If you feel sick, have a fever and tight chest, please contact your doctor as soon as possible. The earlier you start treatment, the sooner you will recover and the less likely you аrе tо іnfесt оthеrs.
Now some words about new wildfires in the Chornobyl zone, possible radiation spike and a dust storm yesterday.
Responding to the dust storm, the municipal water trucks were sent out to wash grit and debris off the city highways and streets. Early in the morning, I travelled to the Chornobyl exclusion zone to get the full picture of the situation there. New fires that broke out yesterday are now contained. There are no open flames there but some parches are still smouldering and firefighters are continuing to work on them.
The radiation level in the Chornobyl’s exclusion zone is lower than normal and is 0,11 μSv/h.
According to local and international experts, the haze in Kyiv is caused by fires not only in Chornobyl but also in Kyiv region from where the smoke is gusting toward the city. Yesterday’s dust storm added to air pollution and made the situation worse. Though we are not used to such extreme natural events, they do and will happen increasingly often.
Dust storms cause respiratory problems. To avoid the damage, please take precautions. Stay inside and close all windows. If you go out, always wear a mask or a cloth over your nose and mouth. Stay away from trees, power lines and billboards and do not park your car under them.
I am urging everyone to be careful! Let it be аt-hоmе Easter! Do celebrate with your immediate family. Please, stay with your loved ones at home, do not go to parks, churches or visit your friends.