Moldova sees coronavirus situation deteriorating - health ministry

CHISINAU. Oct 12 (Interfax - The epidemiological situation in Moldova has been worsening for 11 weeks in a row, Svetlana Nicolaescu, Secretary of State at the Moldovan Ministry of Health, said.

As many as 9,443 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the country last week, a 13% increase from the week before, Nicolaescu said.

The Health Ministry has converted several hospitals and opened new wards for Covid-19 patients, but they are being filled very quickly, she said.

"Wards are being filled right after the opening, and we have to once again raise the number of new beds for Covid patients. Only seven intensive care beds are available in hospitals across the country. The remaining places and medics' efforts have been mobilized for patients diagnosed with Covid-19, to the detriment of other patients," she said.

Due to a surge in Covid-19 infections, the healthcare system has to concentrate on the fight against the pandemic, and scheduled surgeries are being postponed indefinitely, she said.

"The number of deaths is growing every day, as is the number of patients in serious condition. Almost 300 patients have been hospitalized in intensive care units, with 36 of them being in critical condition. Every system has its limits, and we're close to a situation where we're at the edge of the healthcare system's capacities," Nicolaescu said.

Of all patients hospitalized in Moldova, 88% have not been immunized. People who have not received a coronavirus vaccine account for 91% of patients hospitalized in intensive care units, according to the Moldovan Health Ministry.

Moldova has recorded 307,182 Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began. The country has seen 289,246 recoveries from the disease and 7,048 related deaths. There are almost 11,000 active cases in Moldova at this point, including 2,140 hospitalized patients.

As reported earlier, due to the tense epidemiological situation, a public health emergency has been declared in Moldova from September 11 to October 31. For many events, including concerts, performances, and demonstrations, people will only be admitted with certificates of full vaccination.