Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The head of the State Inspectorate for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan Nurmat Otabekov said that cases of coronavirus infection were detected not among the population, but among people who returned from abroad and were in quarantine.

- As of 9 a.m. on 19 March 2020, the number of registered cases of coronavirus infection in the Republic of Uzbekistan reached 23 people. Of course, the difference with yesterday’s data can cause excitement in people. However, it is worth noting that cases of infection are detected during a survey of our citizens arriving from France, the UK, the UAE and Turkey. From the first days of their return, they are quarantined and are under medical control. Therefore, there is no reason to assume that the virus has spread widely among the population. The situation is taken under the control of the government, the health system and other departments.

To date, over 9 thousand 100 people have been taken under control. More than 6 thousand people were sent home to guarantee their health. Currently, 2 thousand 300 citizens are in quarantine. State borders are closed. Rail and road services are suspended. At the same time, measures to return our citizens from abroad continue.

Arriving groups of our compatriots are provided with a stationary quarantine room, arrivals individually - quarantine measures are assigned at home. The most important thing is that a stock of the necessary diagnostic tools, protection and disinfection, places in medical institutions has been created, he said.