Countries need assurances that outbreak risks are minimized in 'high-vulnerability settings' - WHO country representative

Hripsime Hovhannisyan

In an interview with Tert.am, the World Health Organization's (WHO) country representative in Armenia addressed the situation with the record increase in the reported coronavirus cases in the country, recommending measures to contain the spread of the disease.

Yegor Zaytsev stressed the importance of minimizing the risks in high-vulnerability settings, calling particularly attention to homes for older people, mental health facilities and crowded places of residence.

The Armenian Government announced a decision to ease the lockdown restrictions in circumstances when we have on average over 100 daily reports of new coronavirus cases. What do you think about the kind of tactics? Don't you see real threats that the increasing cases may eventually cause the collapse of Armenia's health sector?

Shifting measure to the transition phase is a critical step that all countries need to take very cautiously. We at WHO advise each country to consider six criteria:

• that evidence shows COVID-19 transmission is controlled;

• that public health and health system capacities are in place to identify, isolate, test, trace contacts and quarantine them;

• that outbreak risks are minimized in high-vulnerability settings, particularly in homes for older people, mental health facilities and crowded places of residence;

• that workplace preventive measures are established, including physical distancing, handwashing facilities and respiratory etiquette;

• that importation risks can be managed; and

• that communities have a voice and are aware, engaged and participating in the transition.

It is essential that the government of Armenia, has these criteria in place before moving to the next phase. In addition, it is important that the shift in measures takes place gradually, also in consideration of the increase of new COVID-19 cases in Armenia in the last week, among the highest in the Region. 

On 6-7 May a WHO virtual mission to Armenia, the first of its kind in the European region, is taking place to identify the most effective measures that can support Armenia’s COVID-19 response, including during the transition period.

What should countries like Armenia do to avoid a possible collapse in both healthcare and the economy? What recommendations do you have?

Outbreaks pose socio-economic challenges and it is understandably a challenge deciding among competing priorities, such as maximizing the protection of people’s health from COVID-19 spread, and minimizing socio-economic impacts. 

What we have been recommending to all countries from the very start is the application of a mix of interventions ranging from test, trace, treat and isolate measures to contain the virus spread, to physical distancing to slow down transmission and gain time for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to prepare and equip themselves to handle large influxes of patients. 

Thus, it is very important that the shift in measures happens at a time when the health system has the capacity to contain the spread and to treat the patients, including those requiring intensive care. As mentioned above, this is a critical step that needs to happen with a comprehensive and thorough approach.  

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