Kyiv Mayor’s Coronavirus Update – June 12, 2020
12.06.2020
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: Today’s news is far from optimistic. As of today, the number of infections stands at 3766, with 95 new cases overnight. There is one more fatality. 79 recoveries raise their total number to 1132.
New cases include 50 women (20-83 years old), 36 men (24-68 years old) and nine children. Also, there are 16 healthcare workers among new infections. Hospitalised are 13 patients. Desnyansky district leads with 24 new cases.
We have intensified the daily testing for COVID-19 because of the increasing number of people suffering from coronavirus symptoms and pneumonia. As of today, the Kyiv Central Laboratory under Ukraine’s Health Ministry has tested almost 35,000 people with PCR tests. PCR laboratory testing is available also at four municipal laboratories, some privately-owned labs and clinics, and some state health facilities. The mobile response brigades have stepped up their efforts to collect samples, totalling in 21,000.
The PCR testing capacity in Kyiv stands at 72 tests conducted per every 100,000 people, which is the highest amount across the country. Another key indicator is the infection prevalence which stands at 16 positive coronavirus cases per 100,000 population. If it reaches 24, we will have to tighten the restrictions, particularly on mass gatherings and ban visiting public venues – shopping malls, markets, kindergartens and other possible hotspots.
I also ask the police to tighten up the enforcement of healthcare guidelines among residents and businesses. Many people ignore the health safety measures and behave recklessly and selfishly.
Since the current epidemiological situation is difficult, children’s health is of our particular concern. Let me remind that last week the principal of School No. 197 was tested positive to coronavirus and hospitalised. Her condition is not too serious. Her immediate family were also hospitalised, her husband with pneumonia, her son and mother with suspected coronavirus. School premises were thoroughly disinfected.
As it has been found out, she was in contact with about 100 school staff members, officials of the district education department and her colleagues, principals of five other city schools. Also, her contacts were 52 high school students and 15 parents of future first-graders. PCR tests will be conducted to them by Monday when the 14 days period of their quarantine ends.
This week two more coronavirus cases have been confirmed among teaching staff of schools No. 253 and No. 154, both located in Svyatoshynsky district. Currently, their contacts are being tracked down. Afterwards, all people who have been around the infected teachers will be tested and placed under quarantine.