The Commission for Infectious Diseases is set to review the coronavirus situation at a meeting on Tuesday, to decide over introducing additional restrictions. The current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic will also be in focus for Tuesday’s session of the Security Council, hosted by President Stevo Pendarovski.
Authorities described the current week, which has registered a large number of new COVID-19 cases and fatalities, as critical in terms of further spread of the virus. At the moment, 18,000 cases are active nationwide. Monday’s report registered 303 new coronavirus cases out of 1,405 people tested in the previous 24 hours. In addition, 1,169 people recovered from the virus, and 41 people died.
“North Macedonia’s medicine agency is set to finalize on Monday administrative processes regarding permits for the AstraZeneca vaccines that arrived recently, after which shots will be distributed nationwide and on Wednesday the immunization process will officially kick off,” Minister of Health Venko FIlipche told a press conference on Monday.
He added that 20,000 citizens who have applied for immunization are older than 75 and will on Monday and Tuesday be assigned to vaccination posts in line with their place of residence, so they can get inoculated on Wednesday.
“Regarding mass immunization, preparations for setting up a large vaccination post at the ‘Boris Trajkovski’ sports arena will launch on Tuesday and should be completed by the end of the week. A total of 30 health workers will be administering shots there, once the Chinese vaccines are delivered,” Filipche said.
The Chinese Embassy, he added, is working on setting up the exact shipping date for vaccines, while Pfizer confirmed on Friday that it’s set to sign contracts over jabs with EU members this week.
“More vaccines are expected to be delivered in April, and after the inoculation of the priority group of citizens over 75, we’ll call on the rest of the population to get vaccinated,” Filipche noted.
He underlined that over the past week, and especially over the weekend, a significant number of COVID-19 patients were admitted for hospital treatment.
“In coordination with hospital directors, we have completely reshuffled capacities at surgical clinics and the Clinic for Pediatrics. At the moment, there are 100 hospital beds available at the Urology Clinic and additional ones at the Pediatrics Clinic,” the Minister briefed.
Starting Tuesday, COVID-19 patients will also be admitted for treatment at the Skopje-based Center for Rehabilitation, he noted, adding that 180 beds and oxygen supply will be made available there.
“The pressure is high in Kumanovo. Hospital capacities are being reshuffled there. In Kavadarci, the situation has calmed down, which gives us right to believe that the cycle lasts six to eight weeks, similar to the November wave. There are enough hospital capacities available in Veles, Tetovo and Gostivar to help take in patients from Kichevo. Ohrid and Struga-based hospitals are coordinating similarly. There’s still no need to set up modular hospitals in Prilep and Bitola, but they will be if there’s an influx of patients,” Filipche underlined.
Moreover, he called on citizens to abide by protective measures during this critical period.
The Ministry of Health said Monday that a total of 1,537 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals in North Macedonia.
A total of 668 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients are being treated at the infectious disease wards in the hospitals in the capital and 869 in COVID centers across the rest of the country. According to the press release, there were 70 hospital beds available in Skopje and 300 nationwide until Monday at 8 am.
