The epidemiological situation has been relatively stable in Georgia, but it is far from reassuring. Children are once again forced to study online. The number of new cases and deaths were down. However, the daily recovery numbers were higher than previous weeks.
The Statistics
On Tuesday, September 14, the country recorded 3221 cases of coronavirus, 2990 recoveries and 54 deaths, with 26,125 tests being conducted. The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, recorded the highest number with 1167 Covid-19 Covid-19 cases. Imereti Region with 498 cases and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti with 339 cases followed.
Georgia reported 2515 cases of coronavirus, 2829 recoveries and 60 deaths on Tuesday, with 32,207 test conducted. Tbilisi had the highest number of Covid-19 cases in 24 hours (869), followed by Imereti with 393 and Kakheti with 338.
On Thursday, the country reported 2 176 coronavirus infections, 2838 recoveries and 43 deaths. 35 400 tests were conducted.
Georgia’s total number of cases since February 2020 has reached 589 727, with 554,618 recovering and 8390 dying.
The daily test-positivity is 6.15%.
Currently, 354 of the 1322 critically ill patients require mechanical ventilation.
The Vaccine
As of Thursday, 1,589.024 people received a coronavirus vaccination, which is approximately 25,000 people per day.
This week, an incentive lottery was launched to encourage vaccinated people. The STOPCOVID lottery website ‘Get Immunized and Win’ was launched on September 13 and the lottery for vaccinated Georgians began. The first raffle took place on September 14. As a result of this, 100 people received cash prizes worth 500 GEL and 100 GEL.
The Restrictions
On the decision of local authorities, schooling in the country will resume online on September 15 due to the fact that the epidemiological situation can still be hard to predict.
“We will have an differentiated approach. This means that on 4 October, in cities and villages with infection rates less than 4% schools, vocational schools and higher education institutions can switch to a format of live attendance,” announced Mikheil Chkhenkeli, Minister of Education and Science for Georgia. “To achieve this, we must consolidate the society to strictly adhere to the recommendations in the healthcare field, especially when it comes to the vaccinations of teachers and parents. “This will allow our students to continue their education in an environment that is natural, i.e. in classrooms,” said he.
The Minister stressed that it is important for first-graders to have their first experience of school, their first lesson, in a natural learning environment. First-graders in all schools will begin their studies on October 4, in those where the infection rate in the community is less than 4%.
The Situation Abroad
World Health Organization reported that there were approximately four million coronavirus infections worldwide last week. This is the first significant drop in new infections for more than two months. In the last few weeks, there were about 4.4 millions new Covid-19 infections.
In its weekly report released on Tuesday, UN health agency stated that every region in the globe saw a decrease in Covid-19 case compared to the prior week.
Africa saw a 7% rise in deaths despite the fact that the number of deaths worldwide decreased to 62,000. The sharpest drop was in Southeast Asia. According to WHO’s weekly report, the highest number of cases were seen:
* The United States has 1,034,836 cases, which is a drop of about 20% from the week before.
* The United Kingdom has seen a 5% rise in new cases with 256,051.
* India has seen a 15% drop in new cases with 248,248.
* Iran has 172,030 cases new, a decrease of 17%.
* Turkey with 158.236 new cases. This is a 6% rise.
According to the weekly update on Tuesday, the Delta variant was identified in 180 countries.
The UK
An insider has revealed that the UK’s traffic-light system for international travel could be scrapped as of October 1. Insiders predict that rules will be based more on the vaccination status of a traveler than the risk level in the country from which they are returning.
Paul Charles, CEO of PC Agency, an elite travel PR agency, tweeted: “The traffic lights system is expected to be abolished by the 1st October – finally.” Airlines and others in the travel industry are aware of plans for a simpler system where countries are either rated red or not. This would be the US-style model, which I have been calling for.”
Euronews reported that “while the UK government hasn’t indicated whether Charles’ claims are true, he has accurately predicted travel changes in past.”
BBC reported that a third of those arriving in England and Northern Ireland at the time the coronavirus Delta variant spread may have violated quarantine rules.
BBC figures show that between March and May more than 300,000 cases have been passed to investigators. The government could not say how many cases were found to be in violation of the rules or that they could not be tracked.
The Home Office said it intends to visit all travelers suspected of breaking the rules.
Labor’s shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds stated that the figures obtained by BBC “confirmed our worst fears” regarding the government’s lax border policy. He accused the Home Office “of gross negligence.”
The US
The US government will spend $470 Million to learn more about “Long Covid”, its causes and potential treatments.
The National Institutes of Health announced Wednesday the plans, with a grant being awarded to New York University. The goal is to enroll up to 40,000 children and adults nationwide. The effort, called “Recover,” will include researchers from more than 30 US institutions.
France
If they are not vaccinated, healthcare workers in France will be fired starting on Wednesday. Some hospitals are worried about staff shortages as 300,000 workers have not been vaccinated.
The Netherlands
In Europe, the Dutch Government is easing restrictions by introducing a “coronapass”, which will serve as proof of vaccination. Holders can then enter bars, clubs, restaurants and cultural events.
China
China has ordered mass testing and imposed lockdowns in cities along the east coast of its country in response to the latest surge in Covid-19 infections.
Africa
After uncertainty over whether the coronavirus outbreak would force South Africa’s local government elections to be postponed, the courts ruled that the vote should go ahead. South Africa’s courts ruled in this month that the Independent Electoral Commission must hold the elections on November 1, despite concerns over political rallies spreading disease.
In the last 24 hour, South Africa recorded 2640 new infections. There were also 125 deaths. More than 35% of all coronavirus infections occur in South Africa. There are 2.8 million confirmed cases, and 85,002 deaths.
Sources: Reuters (Reuters), The Associated Press (The Associated Press), BBC and CBC News.
By Team GT
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge