New ‘Dona cluster’ in Batumi, all restrictions lifted in Mestia-Lenjeri
By Khatia Bzhalava
Thursday, September 3
The epidemiological situation in Batumi, Adjara region has escalated after employees in both branches of the confectionery shop ‘Dona’ tested positive for the COVID-19. Out of 38 recently confirmed coronavirus cases countrywide, 22 of them are from the ‘Dona cluster’. The infected individuals are mostly employees of the shop, however, it is yet unknown how far the virus has spread.
The confectionery shop Dona has published a statement explaining that they had been following and abiding all the recommendations closely since day one. All the infected are under medical treatment, the persons in contact with them have been quarantined and the confectionery shop remains closed.
According to the head of NCDC, Amiran Gamkrelidze, the situation is not alarming and the lockdown of Batumi does not remain on the agenda. He stated that epidemiological research will be extended there. One more tent will be put up in the boulevard which makes a total of three tents where free testing is available. Also, there are 3 laboratories in Batumi working on taking 1600-1800 tests daily. Gamkrelidze calls on everyone who has visited the bakeshop to monitor their health and immediately contact 112 in case any symptoms occur.
Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated that even though the epidemiological situation in Batumi has worsened compared to the other regions of Georgia, the lockdown of Batumi is not up for discussion. As he noted, there is a high concentration of tourists in Batumi right now, therefore intensification of testing is needed.
As for the Svaneti region, the government has lifted all the restrictions there. Mestia and Lenjeri were closed on August 10th, after 17 new cases were detected in the village of Lenjeri. The police had been observing quarantine restrictions for 22 days in continuous mode; eventually, the coordination council decided to free the region of all the restrictions.
“We handled a possible epidemic outbreak in Mestia-Lenjeri and managed to operate successfully, that is why all the restrictions are lifted since the epidemiological situation enables us to do so,” the PM said at the coordination council meeting.
On September 2nd, the highest rate of COVID-19 cases has been recorded since April. 38 new cases have been confirmed. Gamkrelidze stated that in up to 15 cases, the source of the infection is unknown. In total, out of 1548 confirmed cases, 1270 patients have already recovered. Unfortunately, 19 people died from COVID infection.
