As of April 22, thirty-six laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been registered in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Two patients were discharged, fully recovered, tested negative twice. There have not been any lethal outcomes, DPR Minister of Health Olga Dolgoshapko reported during the briefing in Donetsk.

“According to the Republic Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine, 24 people with suspected coronavirus have been taken under observation for the past day, 20 of them hospitalized, four are self-isolating at home.

A total of 8344 people are under observation. Of these, 299 with symptoms of acute respiratory viral disesaes are hospitalized and 7869 are self-isolating at home (people who crossed the state border and filled in an “Informed Voluntary Consent to In-Home Self-Isolation). 60 people have been discharged, fully recovered and tested for COVID-19 negative twice. Those who were hospitalized with suspected coronavirus, but the illness was not confirmed,” the Minister of Health noted.

Olga Dolgoshapko stressed that the incidence of acute respiratory viral diseases had decreased over the past week. If in February and March up to 2,500 people with ARVI were registered per day throughout the Republic, then for example, on April 20 there were only 90 such patients. The Minister of Health also called on the residents of the Republic to keep the rules of personal hygiene and in-home self-isolation and avoid mass gatherings, as the coronavirus infection is of airborne nature, and take care of their relatives aged 65 and older, provide them with necessary foodstuffs, medications and personal hygiene items so they can stay home.

Should the first signs of any acute viral respiratory illness occur, such as fever, cough, rhinitis, and, above all, shortness of breath, you must immediately call a doctor from home. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor will decide whether to allow the patient to be treated at home or hospitalize them. Remember, self-medication is dangerous for your health.