The Minister of Health, Arsen Torosyan, said during a Facebook live video on March 21st that there has been an increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases over the past few days. These cases mostly came from two sources.
According to Torosyan, if the incidents in Ejmiatsin and at the manufacturing plant in Yerevan did not occur, the number of those infected would be much less- around 20-25. However, thanks to people quarantining themselves, there has not been a severe outbreak.
“However, it is not possible for this to continue endlessly. We have more than 600 people in quarantine in five regions of Armenia. But we believe that this reserve is about to be depleted. So, we must carry out prevention methods through self-quarantine, which, of course, we have already started. But experience shows us that our citizens have not always realized or understood the danger at hand and isolated themselves, which is necessary for them, their relatives, and all Armenians,” the minister said, noting that this is the reason why the National Assembly took part in a special session where they voted on a law to subject those who violate quarantine to criminal prosecution.
According to Arsen Torosyan, this is a necessary demand because there is a public health crisis, and if someone does something to put the public’s health in danger, they need to be held responsible for their actions. “This challenge that the whole world is facing can only be overcome through united efforts. This issue does not only have to do with the healthcare sector. All resources are being mobilized across the world, including intellectual, human, financial, and other resources.”
Ami Chichakyan