COVID-19 Update (July 22-25)

The Ministry of Health reported 383 new cases of COVID-19 and 509 recoveries, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 36,996 of which 9,833 are active cases and 26,243 have already recovered. Eight COVID-19 patients (the youngest aged 56 and the oldest 85), who all, other than one, had pre-existing health conditions, died bringing the total number of deaths to 700. Two patients with COVID-19 also died, but the virus was not the cause of death; 220 such cases have been reported. To date, 155,664 tests have been conducted, of which 1,850 were in the last 24 hours.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a Facebook live that considering the recent escalations on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, the situation with COVID-19 was not the Government’s first priority over the past few days. Pashinyan noted that for the first time since June 14, the number of active coronavirus cases has dipped below 10,000 (according to today’s updates, the number of active cases is 9,969). This, according to the PM, is very important information and there are reasons to claim that the country has not only entered the stage of overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic but also strengthened its resistance to the second wave of the virus, which is expected in the fall.

Pashinyan also said that certain people have once again started spreading disinformation about COVID-19 and the anti-epidemic guidelines introduced by the Government. He went on to explain that compliance with the anti-epidemic rules (which includes wearing a face mask) is the reason behind the decreasing numbers. Pashinyan stressed that wearing a face is an unpleasant experience for everyone, including himself, but it is one of the main reasons behind the positive dynamics that the country has registered. He noted that the recent statistics should encourage everyone to more strictly follow the anti-epidemic regulations, otherwise the country will very soon end up in a situation similar to June.

The PM noted that the Government’s goal is to be more prepared for the expected second wave of the virus. About 700 people have died in Armenia after battling the coronavirus and this, according to Pashinyan, is a horrible statistic. Besides wearing a face mask, the discipline of business entities and people in general also played a key role. Pashinyan said that the Government has tried to loosen restrictions as much as possible and if a certain restriction is still in place, it means that lifting that restriction is not possible or reasonable at this point. He noted that the relatively stable situation is still not a guarantee that the country will not register an increase in the number of confirmed cases in a few days.

The Ministry of Health of Artsakh reported 6 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 new recoveries bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 193, of which 46 are active cases and 147 have already recovered. The five new cases were registered in Stepanakert and are contacts of previously identified infection hubs. One case was registered in the community of Aygestan in the Askeran region.

At the request of Armenia, the Embassy of Japan in Armenia delivered the antiviral medication Avigan for 100 patients. According to the Embassy, while a final vaccine is still being developed, many countries are using Avigan in the fight against COVID-19. The announcement also stated: “It is sincerely hoped that they will be put into the most effective use by Armenian medical specialists and contribute to further advancement of COVID-19’s clinical research, thus assisting the recovery of more patients through that process.”

*Avigan is supplied only at the discretion of Japan’s Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry and only manufactured and distributed upon request by the Japanese Government.

The Ministry of Health of Artsakh reported 4 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 187, of which 43 are active cases and 144 have already recovered. The three new cases registered in Stepanakert, and are from previously recorded infection hubs. One case was registered in Ivanyan community and the patient was a contact person of the previously identified infection hub from Askeran. To date, 4216 tests have been conducted and 76 citizens are in isolation.

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By the decision of the Warden of the Special Commission of Artsakh Grigor Martirosyan, starting July 23 the community of Haterk in the Martakert region will have temporary restrictions on entry and exit.