Giorgi Gakharia, Prime Minister of Georgia, and Ekaterine Tikaradze, Minister of Health, met managers of healthcare facilities engaged in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday amid the epidemic situation in the country. The press service of the Government Administration informed.

Improvement of therapeutic elements within a more effective use of the hotels serving as the government-assigned COVID-19 facilities and mobilization of hospital intensive care beds were among the key topics discussed today.

The meeting focused on the intensive testing program implemented through a 2-month-long plan of COVID restrictions imposed by the Government of Georgia, which will facilitate a quick diagnostic of infected individuals and provision of information to them, making sure that the community transfer rate slows down. It was once again stressed that facemasks and social distancing remain to be the most crucial preventive measures.

At the same time, the meeting addressed the significance of preventing an overburdening of the hospital sector to leave no one behind the medical care. Managers of healthcare facilities noted that in line with the plan announced at the previous meetings, they supplemented additional beds both in therapy and intensive care units, and work continues towards this end.

It was noted that hospitalization of only acute cases is important, while mild symptom patients should be treated at home through active consultations with family physicians or at government-assigned COVID facilities, which are under the therapeutic management of hospitals.

It was mentioned at the meeting that active engagement of the Ministry of Health led to the gradual resolution of a problem associated with oxygen concentrates and no problems will be experienced in their supply and delivery. It was, thereby, noted that logistical issues are being effectively managed at this stage, which resulted from a close and active interaction between the Government and private sector, as well as being an outcome of effort taken in preparation for the second wave of the pandemic.

According to healthcare facility managers, Georgia does not lag behind the leading European countries in terms of organization and effective management for the time being. Almost 27 000 active COVID-19 cases are being managed throughout the country.