COVID-19 Update (June 8)

• As the government increases the capacity of hospitals allocated to COVID-19 patients, citizens should continue following the anti-epidemic rules, so that the situation can be kept under control;
• Regional medical centers, including in Vedi (100 beds), Spitak (100 beds), Dilijan (60), Martuni (40) have also started treating COVID-19 patients. Some of those centers have the capacity for oxygen therapy, which can prevent the later need for ventilators for some of the patients. The bed capacity of Armenia Medical Center and St. Astvatsamayr Medical Center has also been increased. Overall, 350 additional beds were allocated for COVID-19 patients.
• The Government is doing everything, but if people continue not following the rules, the Government will eventually not be able to meet the always increasing needs of the patients;
• Torosyan urged the citizens to wear face masks correctly and regularly change those masks, disinfect/wash their hands, and maintain social distancing;
• Following the rules in the workplace is of equal importance and people should take the initiative and demand that their employers and co-workers follow the guidelines.

Following Torosyan’s address, Prime Minister Pashinyan invited Nushik Urumyan, a student at the Artik Medical College, who has been volunteering at the Scientific Center of Traumatology and Orthopaedics to say a few words:

I came from the city of Maralik two months ago and have been volunteering at the ER department of the Orthopedic Hospital ever since. I have seen my children through video calls but I’m proud of my decision and I ask my fellow citizens to take the situation with utmost seriousness. By wearing your masks you help us be hopeful that one day soon we will be rid of our protective overalls and the masks, which make work extremely difficult.

Questions: 

Haykakan Jamananak, Susanna Poghosyan: There were media reports yesterday that the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Artak Davtyan had held his son’s wedding at his house. Hours ago you released him from his post which leads me to believe you have deemed it to be a breach of the State of Emergency (SOE). Does the subsequent release of the head of police and the head of the National Security Service from their posts, have anything to do with the incident? Were they unaware of the [planned wedding] or knew and did nothing?

Nikol Pashinyan: A crisis is a situation when often friendships, work relationships, official and  unofficial relationships are confused. I want to wish all newlyweds happiness, including General Lieutenant Davtyan’s son and daughter-in-law. Decisions made during times of crises are often not definitive but there is a line when discipline, and following the rules mandated by the SOE and the head of state becomes a priority and overshadows all else. I regret this development but I think, given the situation, the safety of the country, the quality of state administration demanded that such decisions be made. Above everyone else, state bodies should serve as an example and exhibit extreme and unconditional discipline for us to be able to encourage our compatriots and overcome the crisis as soon as possible. I do not believe these officials had exhausted their potential of serving the country and I believe it still possible for them to continue their service in the future.
Aravot.am, Lusine Budaghyan: You and many in your government call on unity in the fight against the pandemic on a daily basis. At the same time there are public figures and politicians who insist that the government is not collaborating with professionals in the field just because they are affiliated with the former regime. The latest such announcement was made by Vahan Ardzruni, head of the Board of Directors of the Yerevan State Medical University. Why is the government not consolidating the potential in the country? Why has the government invited  private hospitals to join the fight against Covid-19 only in the last couple of days?

Nikol Pashinyan: The Erebuni and Armenia Medical Centers are privately owned and have been in the fight for quite a while, including also the Astghik Medical Center. In making these decisions, the government takes into consideration epidemiological safety rules; there needs to be a clear division between the Covid departments and other sections of the hospitals to avoid the spread of the virus within the hospital.

In regards to Mr. Ardzruni’s announcement, I know that three days prior to his announcement, the issue had been resolved, and the [Health] Ministry had already reached an agreement with the corresponding medical center. The Ministry made a public call to all medical centers yesterday to participate, however, before that, the Ministry inventorized the capabilities of all medical centers to be able to evaluate the possibilities of the participants.

I also want to add that expanding healthcare capacity is not just about space and equipment. It is important that these buildings and equipment be used by highly professional personnel. It is obvious that there is much conjecture when it comes to the coronavirus situation. While I take it lightly, we do follow them and any criticism closely. We evaluate and reevaluate our actions taking into consideration the criticism. However, I can say that Armenia is in a unique situation regarding the pandemic. The field can be separated into two camps – people whose objective it has become to see the virus spread and spiral out of control, these are known political forces. These political circles will see their end with the end of the pandemic, even those who until today have not understood that they are finished. After the pandemic their demise will be definitive. The sabotage will have an equivalent evaluation and the initiator of the sabotage will be thrown into the trash bin of Armenia’s political history. They are already there de facto and we will make sure they are there de jure as well.