CivilNet: Armenia’s COVID-19 Numbers Increase After a Short-Lived Decline

CIVILNET.AM

12 Mar, 2021 02:03

By Varak Ghazarian

Following a steady decline in coronavirus cases in January and February, Armenia is again seeing a surge in cases that began in early March.

As of March 11, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Armenia has reached 176,286, with 165,441 recoveries and 3,239 deaths. According to Armenia’s National Center for Disease Control, the current number of hospitalizations is 6,772, and Armenia has so far conducted 761,945 COVID-19 tests.

On March 10, 4,285 tests were completed, of which 748 cases were positive. 

Last november, Armenia’s Ministry of Health announced that the government had made an advance payment for a coronavirus vaccine for 300,000 people or 10% of the country’s population, with the expected delivery date of mid-spring 2021.

On March 2, Gayane Sahakyan, Deputy Director-General of the National Center of Disease Control and Prevention, stated that Russia’s Sputnik V will become the first vaccine to be purchased by Armenia. 

“At the moment, we are in the process of signing an agreement with Russia. The vaccines will likely arrive in Armenia within the next week. We are purchasing 15,000 doses and are planning to vaccinate 7,500 people at this stage since two doses are necessary for each person,” Sahakyan said.

Additionally, Sahakyan noted that Armenia is currently negotiating the purchase of another vaccine. 

Armenia was set to receive its first shipment of coronavirus vaccines in mid-February, but that shipment has not yet arrived. 

The World Health Organization and the European Union reported that they would spend $48.48 million over the next three years to ensure better access to COVID-19 vaccines in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

According to the Ministry of Health, COVID-19 vaccinations are set to be carried out in two stages. The first stage includes the at-risk groups, which comprises residents or employees of social protection institutions, health workers, people 65-year-olds and older, and people with chronic illnesses. 

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS