We have two options: re-enforce lockdown and strict restrictions or handle these increased case numbers, Tengiz Tsertsvadze, the head of Tbilisi's infectious diseases, Aids and immunology research centre, said, adding that the Georgian government and health workers have opted for the second alternative.
Tsertsvadze stressed that the first option would simplify combating the novel virus; however, in his words, it would create an economic threat of deep recession, while the second option would result in economic stability and an increased number of patients in hospitals.
"A majority of leading countries worldwide has chosen the first option, but, considering the public's stance, the existing economic situation, and upcoming elections, we opted for the second. This implies that restrictions will be mild, lockdown will not be enforced, and the government will have to assume the responsibility of handling the increased case numbers without sacrificing the quality of medical assistance provided to its citizens," Tsertsvadze said, adding that Georgia has so far managed to keep one of the lowest mortality rates per million citizens worldwide.
Georgia recorded 1186 new cases of the novel virus in the past 24 hours to bring the total tally to 18,663. The country's death toll is now at 143. A total of 8,338 citizens have so far recovered (278 recent).
Georgia reported its first COVID-19 case on 26 February 2020. The WHO labeled the virus a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Its outbreak started in China in December of 2019. China confirmed it was contagious on 21 January and declared quarantine in its two cities.
