Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The next video conference chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is taking place at this moment. At the beginning of the event, the course of our country's response to the pandemic will be separately touched upon.

In particular, it was noted that the number of cases of COVID-19 infection exceeded 18.7 thousand, the situation remains serious.

“The number of patients in serious condition is growing,” the head of state said. - Together with the coronavirus, cases of pneumonia are increasing. Over the past 10 days, 4 conference calls were held, khokims, ministers and other responsible leaders were given appropriate instructions to create additional medical places, systemic organization of treatment of asymptomatic patients at home, providing them with the necessary medicines and food, as well as improving the ambulance system. Today we will hear their reports.

Speaking about the work done so far, Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed that in recent days 46.5 thousand additional beds have been allocated for the treatment of coronavirus in the republic and work is underway to prepare another 31 thousand, an additional 397 ambulances have been purchased, and will be delivered within a month to place another 409 cars.

Taking into account the international and experience accumulated in our country, the strategy and tactics of treating coronavirus were updated, the President noted. A total of 5,000 doctors and 9,000 nurses, including professors and teachers of medical schools and colleges, researchers and retired specialists, were involved in the treatment and counseling of patients.

- Here I want to thank our selfless doctors who, risking their lives and health, courageously fight this disease. Today I signed a decree on awarding honorary titles, awarding orders and medals to a group of medical workers, employees of internal affairs bodies, ministries of defense, emergency situations, the National Guard, who have shown a vivid example of courage in protecting the health and preserving life of the population, curbing the spread of infection. - noted the head of state.

It was emphasized that there will be many more such awards. All medical workers who, without sparing themselves, work in this struggle will certainly be adequately rewarded.

“We involve not only our specialists in the fight against infection, but also leading professors and experts from abroad who advise through video conferencing,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. - Currently, a professor of medicine from Germany has arrived in our country and is directly involved in the treatment of patients. A group of professors from Turkey will arrive today. We are working to attract the most experienced professors from other countries.

As the President noted, the most important task today is to break the chain of the spread of the virus among the population. For this, it is necessary to unconditionally comply with the requirements of quarantine, strengthen immunity, protect health, and fight for the life of every person.

In this regard, as well as in order to slow down the spread of infection and a sharp decrease in the number of deaths, the President agreed with the proposal of the Republican Special Commission to extend quarantine restrictions.

At the same time, one should take the ideas “Fighting a pandemic is a matter of conscience of each of us”, “First of all, I myself am responsible for my own health, the health of my family and children” as a daily rule.

Today, a very large responsibility for containing the coronavirus lies with the leaders and employees of khokimiyats, sectors, health and internal affairs bodies, makhalla activists and representatives of the older generation. Because the majority of our population, the elderly, children, women, are forced to stay at home. It is on these organizations and figures that the provision of vital needs, the provision of appropriate medical and other assistance depends.

If we all work together, with a sense of responsibility, we will certainly overcome these difficult challenges. I repeat again, the most important requirement today is to learn how to live and work in a pandemic, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted in particular.