“We confirmed 22 cases of the coronavirus yesterday. The overall number of confirmed cases is 52 (Translator’s note: At the time this article was published, the number reached 64). Thirty-two of these cases were from the engagement party and 11 were from the factory that we already informed you about,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during his Facebook live video, “State of Emergency: Day 1,” adding that there were many cases yesterday due to the fact that the Ministry of Health decided to test those in quarantine, and seven of them had been confirmed. By the way, the Prime Minister said that these seven individuals did not express any symptoms. He said that two of the 52 cases have pneumonia and the Ministery of Health says that they are being treated. Only they have a fever. The others with the coronavirus do not have a fever.
In order to overcome the virus, the Prime Minister emphasized that everyone’s individual and social responsibility is of the utmost importance. The government’s current strategy is to follow and quarantine everyone who came into contact with those who had positive test results. “But now the fact remains that we are keeping people in hospitals who do not have any need for treatment. This is where we need to understand how essential it is to keep people in hospitals who are not receiving treatment.” According to the Prime Minister, those people may be able to stay at home based on the condition that they do not come into contact with anyone else. “If we are to look at this issue in this manner, we come to understand that the coronavirus is not as terrible as we are led to believe for people who are below 70 and who do not have chronic illnesses,” the Prime Minister said.
Nikol Pashinyan also spoke about the rise in the price of rubbing alcohol, which was also discussed in parliament. The Prime Minister said that he was informed about how the rise in the price of rubbing alcohol is only due to changes in tax legislation. The lowest price of rubbing alcohol has changed. Nikol Pashinyan was also informed that the change in the price of hand sanitizer also does not have to do with the coronavirus. He called upon citizens to relax because stores do not have a lack of anything. “I have been informed that sales in large supermarkets have risen by 30 percent, but sales in small stores have decreased.” He called upon citizens to not forget about small and medium businesses, although he understands that it is easier to purchase from large supermarkets.
“Experience has proven that the coronavirus can be controlled and it can be controlled over a long period of time, of course, taking into consideration all risks. Finally, this will become an illness like typical colds and the flu. They are not completely safe, but the way we regard those illnesses is important. We will not be scared of the coronavirus. Be safe!” Nikol Pashinyan said.
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He also called upon people to use online services. Pashinyan believes that we will overcome this situation in a more sophisticated manner as a state and as a nation. He also thanked all medical workers and police officers. He said that the most important part of all of this is that citizens understand that they are respected.
Nelly Grigoryan
