Tag: COVID-19

The Caucasus Barometer survey conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the country, reveals that the overall mood of the Armenian public was optimistic.

During a press conference today, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan presented the Ministry’s strategy and key actions in the battle against COVID-19 over the past several months. Currently, over 500 people have lost their lives to the virus; the cumulative number of infections is expected to surpass 30,000 in the coming days.

When a State of Emergency was declared on March 16 in Armenia, cultural institutions mobilized their resources and opened their treasuries digitally showcasing the gems of Armenian culture.

While it is still early to assess the effectiveness of the Armenian government’s COVID-19 response, Lusine Sargsyan reviews some of the key measures authorities introduced over the past five months.

Elderly residents of the Nork Old Age Home who were infected with COVID-19 have all recovered; volunteers distribute face masks and explain anti-epidemic rules at several dozen stands placed throughout Yerevan; Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the State of Emergency will likely be extended and more.

A new infection hub is detected in Artsakh; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan says that the Spitak Medical Center is now part of the network of hospitals treating COVID-19 patients; Armenia received 10,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests from the World Health Organization; authorities continue to urge citizen to follow safety guidelines and more.

According to the Health Ministry, almost 400 medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and orderlies have been infected since March 1; there over 650 patients in critical or extremely critical condition; strict safety measures to be implemented during university entrance exams to be held in the coming week and more.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says everyone should “restart” their behavior and this includes state bodies and agencies, the police force and businesses and that an ineffective lockdown is more problematic than no lockdown at all; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan calls for a “conscious lockdown” and more.

In Armenia, discussing mental health is too often associated with a sense of shame; however, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, mental health services should be an integral component of all government responses to COVID-19.

As the number of cases continues to rise in Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says stricter regulations will be imposed in the near future; anesthesiologist and ICU specialist Dr. Karen Tonoyan says the virus has the capacity to destroy families and urges people to come together and fight alongside medical staff.