19 Citizens Test Positive for COVID-19, Shirak Governor Tigran Petrosyan Says

“A portion of citizens isolated in one of the city hotels had completed their 14-day quarantine period, and testing was conducted yesterday before their discharge. I should note that they had not been tested during this time as they did not exhibit symptoms characteristic of the disease. As a result, 19 citizens tested positive, 16 of whom are from our region, and 3 from other localities. The process of transferring these citizens to the infectious diseases hospital in Gyumri is now being organized,” said Shirak Governor Tigran Petrosyan in an interview with SHANTNEWS.am.

When asked if there are plans to concentrate infected individuals in another healthcare facility should the bed capacity of the Gyumri infectious diseases hospital become overwhelmed, the governor responded that this scenario has always been a topic of discussion among the relevant authorities. “The Ministry of Health has also discussed this scenario, and if necessary, one of the healthcare institutions will be equipped for the treatment of infected individuals. Whether it will be in Gyumri or another facility in the region, I cannot say at this moment. The decision-making authority on this issue is with the ministry. However, the former 'Samarit' hospital building in Gyumri cannot be utilized for this purpose, as it has not been operational for many years, making it impossible to organize treatment and isolation there,” the Shirak governor said.

As of May 2, there are 85 patients being treated for coronavirus at the Gyumri infectious diseases hospital, 79 of whom are residents of Shirak province. The number of patients transferred to Yerevan is 19, and a total of 18 patients have recovered and been discharged from the hospital. Currently, there are 305 citizens under isolation and self-isolation recommendations in Shirak province, and one person has been treated.