Growing Concerns about the Pandemic
In Romania, the number of COVID-19 patients continues to grow from one day to the next. Many deaths are being reported and hospitals are full.
Mihai Pelin, 07.10.2021, 14:00
The surge in the number of COVID cases intensifies the pressure on the Romanian health system. Hospitals are packed, the Intensive Care Units are full, and the medical staff exhausted. 15,000 new cases have already been reported and about 300 deaths in one single day. The infection rate in Bucharest and in several counties exceeded 10 cases per thousand inhabitants. In Bucharest the night quarantine is in force for unvaccinated people, a measure which is not valid for vaccinated persons and persons who have had the disease.
In these circumstances, the Government decided to extend the state alert for another 30 days. At the same time, wearing a protective mask is now mandatory in all open spaces in those localities where the COVID incidence rate exceeds 6 per thousand. The mask is not mandatory for people walking in the street alone or with a family member, in the park or when cycling. However, it must be worn in all crowded open places: fairs, flea markets, markets and public transport stations. People should not wait for such measures to be imposed, they should apply them while being aware of the methods they have at hand to protect themselves, says epidemiologist Adriana Pistol, director of the National Public Health Institute.
Adriana Pistol: “Romanians are used to receive orders or recommendations from someone. I think Romanians are intelligent enough to understand that they have to do a couple of things to stay away from the disease. Lets be responsible and not wait for someone to come with orders or decisions. No one will save us from this pandemic. It is up to us to do that. The solutions are available to all of us: wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds and get vaccinated.”
In an attempt to make room for COVID patients in hospitals, the authorities issued an order providing for the suspension of surgery and hospitalizations for the next 30 days. People in urgent need of medical services will not be deprived of these services – said the head of the Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat. He explained that the order does not refer to people with conditions that require procedures, treatments and permanent monitoring, mandatory controls, dialysis or oncological procedures.
Raed Arafat added that such decisions have also been taken by other states in similar situations and that it is important now to channel the resources where they are mostly needed. In addition, Romania has started talks with the Hungarian authorities for the transfer of some Covid patients there for treatment. They will be taken to hospitals located near the border in ambulances and not by plane, due to the risk posed by oxygenators. (LS)
