While the Covid-19 pandemic keeps expanding globally, Kazakhstan said it has now put the pandemic situation under control, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
| Covid-19 situation in Kazakhstan is under control. Photo: vechastana.kz. |
Nevertheless, the Ministry acknowledged the country is currently going through a challenging period, while the government of Kazakhstan has always stated that the country cannot become complacent.
At the same time, the ministry also clarified some concerns and misunderstanding both among the public and the media regarding the epidemiological situation in Kazakhstan.
It is indeed true that the number of cases has increased in Kazakhstan, but the ministry noted a number of points need to be considered. Firstly, since the beginning of July, asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 were added to the general statistics of morbidity, thus significantly increasing the infection growth rate. Secondly, Kazakhstan has greatly increased the number of tests carried out.
Over 1.6 million people have been tested so far. Currently, the country is carrying out almost 90,000 tests per one million population (almost 14,000 tests per day), which is more than France, Germany, Canada and many other countries. Kazakhstan at the moment ranks 19th in the world in terms of population testing. Naturally, this has increased the number of confirmed cases.
Due to these factors, there are just over 50,000 cases of Covid-19 currently registered in Kazakhstan, including just over 25,000 with symptoms, and over 23,000 asymptomatic patients. Approximately 1,400 new cases are registered per day, an increase of 3.0%. More than half have fully recovered, while over 23,000 patients continue to receive treatment. 260 people have died so far.
The rate of the spread of the virus in June was 1.3. There has been a decrease over the past week to 1.05. According to the Johns Hopkins University in the US, Kazakhstan ranks 35th globally in terms of the Covid-19 infection rate. The mortality rate in Kazakhstan is 0.5%. In comparison, it is 4.4% and 1.5% in the United States and Russia respectively.
Furthermore, Kazakhstan ranks 54th in terms of the number of infected people per 1 million inhabitants, and 113th in terms of mortality.
Ultimately, these statistics demonstrate that the broad epidemiological situation regarding the spread of the coronavirus in Kazakhstan is under control.
As soon as cases began to surge in June, the Kazakh government took the necessary measures to combat the pandemic in a timely manner, including implementing a second quarantine, stated the foreign ministry.
The results of the first lockdown from mid-March to mid-May demonstrated that quarantine measures are indeed effective. The number of confirmed cases remained low during that period. It is expected that two-week quarantine will also contribute to the stabilization of the situation. In addition, three hospitals focusing on infectious diseases were built quickly in the cities of Nur-Sultan, Almaty and Shymkent. Clinics in other regions have been provided with the necessary equipment.
The measures restrict social and family gatherings and only allow outdoor walking of three or less. The facilities including beauty and hair salons, all kind of indoor sport centers, beaches, water parks, culture and entertainment places, religious facilities, kindergartens and children health camps suspend their activities. At least 80% of employees in public companies will continue working from home.
The restrictions do not apply to construction and industrial plants with a continuous production cycle, open air agricultural and construction sites, as well as health centres, grocery stores and open air markets.
Summer patios, auto service and appliance maintenance are continuing working under enhanced sanitary and disinfection measures.
The international flights are operating within a list of countries, while domestic flights and train service are limited. City and intercity bus service are suspended for the period of quarantine.
The Ministry referred to a statement from Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that this crisis is a circumstantial, and the difficulties are temporary.
Kazakhstan has the required medical and economic resources to win against the spread of the virus and return to normalcy, the ministry said.
