Schools, universities closing again in Armenia as number of infections increases
Because of the coronavirus, all kindergartens and educational institutions in Armenia have been closed until March 23.
This decision was made after another five people tested positive for coronavirus.
Until March 12, there was only one infected person in Armenia who came home from Iran.
Coronavirus in Armenia
The first case of infection became known on March 1, when a 29-year-old Armenian citizen returned by special flight from Iran.
For ten days, he was the only coronavirus patient in the country. All those in contact with him were isolated. Everyone, including the infected person, felt good. Accordingly, there was no panic in Armenia.
The situation changed on March 11, when information appeared immediately about three new cases of infection. One of them is a resident of the city of Etchmiadzin, located about 20 kilometers from the capital.
Information appeared on social media that she arrived in Armenia 10 days ago and during that time managed to attend a number of festive events – including an engagement, which was attended by many guests.
On March 13, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan during a live broadcast on Facebook announced that the coronavirus was also found in two people who are in quarantine. Now in Armenia there are eight infected individuals.
Government action
The prime minister interrupted his vacation to deal with the issue.
“On March 18-19, we will once again turn to this topic. If necessary, we will renew [quarantine] again,” Pashinyan said during a live broadcast on his Facebook page.
The prime minister called for civil responsibility and, if possible, not to participate in large events. “The Coronavirus Outbreak Prevention Commission is operational and monitors the situation hourly,” Pashinyan said.
The prime minister also addressed the guests of the engagement, which was attended by an infected woman from Etchmiadzin, he urged them all to isolate themselves:
“Our biggest operational task is to identify the engagement participants and determine the circle of people with whom the patient spoke. “I urge all citizens who participated in this event or contacted guests who have symptoms to urge themselves to isolate themselves.”
Armenian hospitals cannot cope with a large number of patients without WHO help
Armenian media reported that representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) have been checking local hospitals for several days to see if the country is ready to withstand the coronavirus pandemic or not.
Hraparak newspaper wrote that according to foreign experts, most Armenian hospitals without WHO help would not be able to cope with a large flow of patients if the situation worsens. The reason is the lack of medicines and beds.
