On July 9, DPR Minister of Health Olga Dolgoshapko held a briefing where she reviewed progress in treatment of patients with the new coronavirus infection and patients with suspected COVID-19 in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
“The first meetings of the Extraordinary Anti-Epidemic Commission affiliated to the DPR Government were held back on February 10 and March 3, 2020. They were devoted to the issues of counteracting the importation and spread of the coronavirus infection in the DPR territory. A concept of activities for counteracting the coronavirus infection in the territory of the Republic was elaborated, the Action Plan and the Procedure of Inter-Agency Cooperation in Case of Importation or Spread of COVID-19 in the DPR Territory were approved.
In accordance with the DPR Health Ministry’s Order No.166 of January 29, 2020 On the Measures for the Prevention of the Infection Caused by the New Coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the Territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, there were facilities instituted, intended for hospitalization and treatment of patients with signs of COVID-19 or suspected of this infection, a stock of medications and individual protective gear was formed, not to be allowed to run low.
The first case of the suspected coronavirus infection in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic was registered on March 9, 2020, when the Infectious Disease Department of City Hospital 3 of Gorlovka received a patient, resident of Yenakiyevo, born 1994, who had arrived from China. The coronavirus infection was not diagnosed.
The first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 was registered in the Donetsk People’s Republic on March 31, 2020, the patient with the confirmed infection was treated in the Infectious Disease Department of City Hospital 3 of Gorlovka,” Olga Dolgoshapko told.
The Minister also noted that as of July 9th, 1,319 cases of the coronavirus infection have been registered. 1,313 cases are laboratory-confirmed, six cases of the coronavirus infection were diagnosed clinically and epidemiologically. 1,347 people have been hospitalized by ambulance for the period of the epidemic.
51 children were diagnosed the coronavirus infection in the Donetsk People’s Republic. 16 children with confirmed COVID-19 underwent treatment in hospital.
“At present, patients with the coronavirus infection are treated both at home and in hospital. 196 people with confirmed coronavirus are undergoing treatment and being observed in hospital. For the period from April to the present, 581 people who were treated have recovered. 441 people with confirmed coronavirus are being treated and observed at home.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Health has tactically followed the path of the Russian Federation, and since May 19, 2020, after the Order No. 1039 was approved, treatment and monitoring of asymptomatic and mild cases of the coronavirus infection have been carried out at home, patients self-isolate to the greatest possible extent and risk to the health of their family members is addressed where practicable. This has made it possible to redirect all resources to treating severe cases and patients with suspected COVID-19.
Unfortunately, 77 people died from the infection for the period, mostly people aged over 65 with severe concomitant pathologies such as diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, hypertension and other diseases,” Olga Dolgoshapko said.
She added that all patients in hospital have antiviral, pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy, while patients with pneumonia get antibacterial therapy. If patients’ saturation is low, they get respiratory support though oxygen supply masks, and if necessary, non-invasive artificial lung ventilation or crisis therapy if the case is severe. All patients are given chest X-ray and, if necessary, a CT scan of the chest.
A total of 21 hospital facilities treating the coronavirus infection and 18 institutions treating pneumonia work in the Republic. Of these, 10 institutions provide respiratory support to patients with COVID-19 or non-COVID pneumonia.
During this period, 367 health care workers were tested positive for COVID-19, including both medical personnel who provide direct medical care to patients with the coronavirus infection and other categories (engineers, cooks, economists, accountants).
For the period from March to the present, a total of 8,345 sick leave certificates have been issued to people after the self-isolation period, of which 934 sick leave certificates have been issued to people who were in countries with unfavorable COVID-19 situation.
“For their heroic work during the coronavirus pandemic, medical workers received a number of awards from the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the DPR Government and the DPR Ministry of Health.
The Head of the DPR awarded state decorations to 887 medical workers.
The DPR People’s Council awarded Honorary Certificates to 38 health care institutions and 15 medical workers.
The DPR Government awarded Certificates of Appreciation to 9 medical workers and 6 healthcare institutions.
The Ministry of Health awarded institutional decorations to 368 people,” the Minister of Health noted.