A meeting of the thematic group on healthcare of the Interagency Coordination Council on the coronavirus took place under the leadership of Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia.

The health status of patients infected with the coronavirus in Georgia was discussed during the meeting of the thematic group on healthcare. It was noted that three patients have already been cured. They were recommended to self-isolate, as per the protocol established by the World Health Organization. Amiran Gamkrelidze, head of the National Center for Disease Control, explained that a total of 54 people have been infected with the coronavirus, three of whom have already recovered. They are receiving appropriate treatment and the health status of most of them is satisfactory. According to epidemiologists, the origin of all the cases of infection is known as of today, which helps the management of the process.

General epidemiological trends globally and in the country, as well as the level of readiness in the healthcare system were discussed during the meeting. It was noted that according to global practice, in case of necessity and a rapid increase in the number of patients, epidemiologists are also considering home treatment as an option.

The discussion also touched on the 2,956 persons who are in quarantine at this stage, with 291 persons being hospitalized under medical supervision.

According to the prime minister’s decision, in order to efficiently provide the public with information on the general epidemiological situation in Georgia, the health status of infected patients, possible new cases of infection, and all other important issues relating to the coronavirus, a unified information center will start operating and hosting regular briefings, in addition to the www.stopcov.ge website.

The discussion held during the meeting also touched on the situation in Georgia in terms of managing patient flow, as well as the issue of redirecting persons entering Georgia through land border crossing points to quarantine zones.

At this stage, it has been decided that passengers – citizens of Georgia – arriving through the border crossing points on the border with the Republic of Armenia will only be able to enter the country through the Sadakhlo border crossing point, while freight traffic will be allowed unrestricted access through all border crossing points. A similar restriction will apply to the border crossing points on the border with Azerbaijan – freight will move freely, while citizens of Georgia will only be able to enter the country through the Red Bridge border crossing point.

Furthermore, effective cooperation with the World Health Organization was stressed. It was noted that the World Health Organization will send experts to support the Georgian healthcare system in the field of clinical management.

For greater efficiency, the Interagency Coordination Council has been divided into thematic groups on healthcare, the economy, and law enforcement, and will hold regular meetings under the leadership of the prime minister.