Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 July, a video conference was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on measures to stabilize the difficult situation with coronavirus in the regions.

COVID-19 continues to spread around the world. In our country, cases of infection have reached 21,700, having increased by 3,000 over the past five days.

In particular, 347 new cases were detected in Tashkent region, 193 - in Kashkadarya, 130 - in Surkhandarya, 123 - in Samarkand, 83 - in Syrdarya and 79 - in Andijan regions. Pneumonia cases increased significantly in Bukhara, Ferghana, Samarkand, Namangan, Tashkent, Khorezm regions and Karakalpakstan.

Earlier, in accordance with the decision of the Republican Special Commission, the period of quarantine restrictions was extended until August 15. At the same time, the current situation requires further strengthening of the fight against coronavirus.

The meeting discussed topical problems in the regions, identified additional tasks.

The republican special commission was instructed to form and send groups to each region to provide practical assistance in stabilizing the epidemiological situation on the ground, as well as to treat patients.

These groups will involve the heads and specialists of responsible departments, specialized medical centers and medical universities, as well as experienced retired doctors. The groups will promote early and accurate diagnosis of the population in the regions, correct and qualified treatment of patients depending on the degree of the disease.

Khokimiyats were instructed to organize hospitals specialized for coronavirus, increase the number of intensive care and intensive care beds, equip them with the necessary medical equipment and medicines. It was noted that it is necessary to create “special polyclinics” to provide qualified medical care to patients with coronavirus infection and pneumonia based on the experience of the city of Tashkent.

The head of state raised the issue of providing medical equipment to alleviate the condition of seriously ill patients.

Over the past two weeks, 370 ventilators, 1041 CPAP machines, 1164 oxygen concentrators and other equipment have been additionally delivered and distributed among the regions. Given the possible increase in the number of infected, the Republican Special Commission was instructed to deliver additional equipment to the field.

In accordance with the Presidential Decree "On measures to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic, radically improve the system of sanitary and epidemiological welfare and public health protection" from 25 July, the Service for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health was established. Today, this service is tasked with breaking the chain of the virus’s spread. Among the important areas of activity is work in cooperation with the health care system and khokimiyats to treat patients and reduce the risk of transmission of the virus from them.

The meeting stressed the importance of systematic monitoring of the health of children, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with disabilities and chronic diseases.

It was noted that during the quarantine period, not a single needy family should be left without attention, the system of targeted provision of the poor with material assistance, food and medicine should work accurately and smoothly.

- In the current situation, we are forced and obliged to simultaneously both treat patients and move the economy. Therefore, along with the protection of people’s health, work in other areas should be continued with iron discipline, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The khokims were instructed to take concrete measures taking into account the real situation in the regions. The importance of strict adherence to the rules for wearing masks and social distancing was emphasized, and for persons over 65 years of age - the undesirability of leaving home unless absolutely necessary.

At the video conference, which was also attended by khokims and heads of sectors, the progress of work on exports and investments, the implementation of the forecast indicators of budget revenues, the cultivation of cotton and irrigation of crops was considered. The reports of the responsible leaders were heard on these issues.