In five regions of Ukraine, a "local quarantine" may be introduced

In five regions of Ukraine, a "local quarantine" may be introduced

An excess of the epidemic threshold has been recorded in five regions due to an increase in the incidence of ARVI. As reported by the press service of the Ministry of Health, in these regions or specific localities, enhanced anti-epidemic measures, such as the so-called "local quarantine," may be applied based on the decision of the regional commission on TEB and NS.

Specifically, it refers to remote learning in certain classes or educational institutions, restrictions on the number of visitors in establishments, and other anti-epidemic measures.

The excess of the epidemic threshold has been recorded in Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi regions. 

"Overall, over the past week, 171,068 people have fallen ill in Ukraine, of which 104,843 are children. This is 13% more than the previous week, but this number of cases is typical for the middle of the epidemic season and does not exceed the epidemic threshold calculated for Ukraine for the 2024/2025 years. Over the past week, only 3% of those who fell ill required hospitalization due to complications from ARVI. Specifically, 4,687 patients, of which 2,912 are children, received all the necessary medical care," the agency reported.

In the Ministry of Health, it was informed that currently, an increase in ARVI incidence is observed due to the circulation of influenza viruses in 22 regions of Ukraine. 

"Taking into account the weekly monitoring data, it is forecasted that until April, the influenza virus will prevail over the coronavirus infection. Since the beginning of influenza virus circulation in the country - since January - 15 fatal cases due to disease complications have been registered. According to medical data, the deceased did not have prophylactic vaccinations against influenza," added the ministry.

The agency noted that overall, from the beginning of the epidemic season from September 30 to February 9, 2,262,760 people in Ukraine contracted ARVI, influenza, and COVID-19, which is 22.8% less than the same period of the 2023-2024 epidemic season. During this time, 17,380 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed, of which 78 cases were fatal.