Third coronavirus wave starts in Georgia, says NCDC Head

By Khatia Bzhalava

Tuesday, April 13

Georgia reported 359 coronavirus cases, 526 recoveries, and 6 deaths on Monday.

According to the Head of the NCDC Amiran Gamkrelidze, 17 cluster outbreaks in the country are related to feasts, celebrations, and massive gatherings.

The Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze states that as in many other countries, the third wave of Covid-19 has started in Georgia as well. According to him, the number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants per day has increased and all the indicators determining epidemiological situation have deteriorated.

As Gamkrelidze stated at the briefing yesterday, there are about 17 cluster outbreaks in the country, all of them related to big feasts and parties. “These outbreaks are manageable so far but if we do not introduce radical measures and observe recommendations, the virus will start to spread widely,” the NCDC head remarked.

Gamkrelidze also touched upon the vaccination rate. “As of today, 20,622 people have been vaccinated which is not enough. At least 3,000-4,000 people should get the jab per day,” said Gamkrelidze. He also stressed that 34 cases of side effects have been reported after vaccination, 7 of which were serious.

The NCDC head stated at the briefing that the so-called British strain circulates in 50-60% of Covid-19 cases in Georgia. Fortunately, other mutations, such as Brazilian, South African, or Indian strains have not been detected in Georgia so far.

Gamkrelidze stresses that if the recommendations, such as the universal wearing of facemasks, keeping distance, following the rules of sanitation, and, most importantly, avoiding large gatherings, are followed and the engagement in vaccination increases to 3,000-4,000 individual per day, it will be possible to establish public immunity in the country by April-May.

Georgia reported 359 coronavirus cases, 526 recoveries, and 6 deaths on Monday. According to the official statistics, Tbilisi recorded the highest number (202) of Covid-19 cases, followed by the Adjara region (46 cases) and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region (40 cases). Since the first outbreak of the virus in the country, Georgia has recorded 288 755 cases in total, among them, 277 829 people recovered and 3 883 died. The daily test-positivity rate stands at 2,62%.