Director of World Health Organization's regional bureau says Moldova not alone in fight with COVID-19

Chisinau, 20 March /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Ion Chicu, at a today videoconference, discussed with the director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional bureau for Europe, Hans Kluge, and the WHO coordinator for emergency situation, Dorit Nitzan. Attending the event were the representative of the United Nations in Moldova, Simon Springett and the head of the WHO mission in Chisinau, Igor Pokanevych, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   

The PM referred to the evolution of the epidemiological situation in Moldova and the measures undertaken by the authorities, in order to prevent the spread of the new-type virus in Moldova. The participants in the videoconference exchanged opinions on the evolution of the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Ion Chicu thanked for the WHO’s and UN’s assistance to manage the situation, especially for the transfer of valuable experience and recommendations.    

„Probably in the next seven weeks, we will discuss in this format more often. We are prepared to react and cope with the situation. I am happy that the society has become more conscious and complies with the requirements of the Health, Labour and Social Protection Ministry and of the authorities,’’ the prime minister said.   

The director of the WHO regional bureau for Europe, Hans Kluge, said that Moldova was not alone in the fight with this epidemic and that, unfortunately, almost 50 per cent of all cases of infection with COVID-19 were in Europe. The official highlighted three priorities on which focus must be put at present: combating the epidemic through detecting and isolating the infected persons; preparing the hospitals for the scenario of increase in the number of cases confirmed and the community’s mobilization to stay at home.