As of May 13, 2020, 197 new cases of HIV infection have been reported in Georgia, according to the AIDS Center. 55 died from HIV this year.

“As of May 13, 2020, 8299 HIV-infected people are registered at the AIDS Center. Including 6196 males and 2103 females. Most patients are between 29 and 39 years old. 4340 patients diagnosed with AIDS, 1690 died. As of April 30, 5,200 patients have been undergoing HIV treatment, including 46 children,” AIDS centre stated today.

The sources of HIV transmission are as follows:

•  37.3 % (3093) – Injection Drug Use;
• 48.4 % (4019) –  Heterosexual contact;
• 11.9 % (991) –  Men who have sex with men;
• 1.3 % (109) – Vertical transmission (occurring from mother to child during gestation, delivery, or breastfeeding);
• 0.5 % (41) – Through exposure to the blood of someone living with HIV, such as through a needle stick;
• 0.6 % (46) – Unknown.

The AIDS centre noted that the most cases of HIV infection were registered in Tbilisi (3074), 1147 in Samegrelo, followed by Imereti (998), Adjara (949), Abkhazia (525), Kakheti (408), Kvemo Kartli (473), Shida Kartli (304), Guria (175), Samtskhe-Javakheti (112).

HIV testing is free for Georgian citizens. The hotline of the AIDS Center is 239-80-18.