Kyrgyzstan expects third wave of COVID-19 in late May

Bishkek, April 14, 2021 . / Kabar / . The third wave of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in Kyrgyzstan is expected in late May and June-July, Minister of Health and Social Development Alymkadyr Beyshenaliyev said in an interview with Lessons of Parliamentarism TV programme. He said the country experienced two waves of coronavirus infection in 2020. "The first one was in June-July, then we lost many citizens because the Health Ministry and the Government were not prepared. The second occurred in October-November, but then we were already prepared and there were fewer victims. The third wave is expected in late May and June-July 2021, because antibodies in those who have had the disease last from 8 months to 1 year. That's why these citizens will start being carriers of the virus by that time," he said. Almazbek Beishenaliyev noted the Ministry is now preparing for the third wave. "Mistakes that were made during the first wave, such as lack of stocks of beds in hospitals, PPE, drugs, were not allowed in the second wave. Now, in preparation for the third wave, all hospitals have stocks of drugs and PPE for 2-3 months ahead," the minister said. "Previously there was a shortage of ambulances in the country, volunteers drove patients to hospitals in their cars. Now the country is 90% provided with ambulances,” Minister Beishenaliyev added. As of today, Kyrgyzstan's tally of coronavirus infection has amounted to 90,839. Of these, 86,313 have recovered and 1,534 have died. The first case of COVID-19 was detected on March 18, 2020 in the republic.