There could have been more coronavirus patients in Ukraine without quarantine - Zelensky

06.04.2020 14:39

Ukrinform

There could have been more patients with coronavirus in Ukraine if quarantine measures were not introduced in the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

He said this after a daily conference call with representatives of the government and state agencies involved in preventing the spread of coronavirus disease COVID-19, the presidential press service reported.

"A reduction in the number of coronavirus patients is the result of the quarantine. We could have had far more ill people than in European countries. Therefore, our measures were timely and correct," Zelensky said.

According to the report, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, in turn, said that the percentage of people infected with coronavirus in Ukraine had decreased over the past 24 hours. In particular, of the 1,319 coronavirus cases in Ukraine, 68 have been recorded over the past 24 hours, which is significantly less than in previous days. Six people have died due to serious chronic illnesses.

At the same time, the head of state said that no hospitals could be closed at this time.

"We get information about a closed children's regional department, the closure of TB dispensaries. We have no right to close hospitals or suspend funding during the coronavirus epidemic. It would be cruel irresponsibility before Ukrainians," Zelensky said.

The National Police reported that the number of crimes had decreased significantly during the quarantine period, and the number of traffic accidents had shrunk by 63%.

A report was also delivered on the situation with food markets that did not cease to operate in Ukraine. Some of them are currently crowded by people, which is a huge risk of the spread of coronavirus. The decision was made to tighten control over food markets.

On March 11, the government approved a resolution establishing the quarantine in Ukraine from March 12 to April 3, 2020, imposing a ban on visits to educational establishments, holding all mass events in which more than 200 people participate, except for measures needed to ensure the work of state and local government bodies.

Subsequently, the quarantine was extended until April 24. The requirements for restrictive quarantine measures have been tightened in Ukraine since April 6.

A total of 1,319 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Ukraine so far. Thirty-eight people died of the disease, and 28 recovered.