Preliminary results: Minister Stepanov updates on impact of new lockdown on COVID-19 cases

Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has updated on the impact of a new lockdown on new COVID-19 cases, saying that it is positive.

The minister announced this on the air of TV Channel Ukraina, according to the online newspaper Segodnya.

Read alsoCOVID-19: Over 5,300 new active cases reported as of Jan 22

"We already have got preliminary results that we hoped for. We have already seen stabilization in the incidence [of COVID-19 cases]. We have already seen a decrease in new cases. Moreover, we have got a decrease in the number of hospitalizations. This morning there were 18,862 people in hospitals. The highest number of hospitalizations is in Mykolaiv region with 38% of bed occupancy. The average bed occupancy rate across Ukraine is 28%," the minister said.

When the current curbs are lifted, Ukraine will introduce the so-called adaptive quarantine from January 25, he said, adding that no new lockdowns are planned yet.

Lockdown in Ukraine in January

• On December 9, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce a strict quarantine (lockdown) from January 8 to January 24, 2021.
• The Health Ministry plans an adaptive quarantine after the end of the January lockdown.
• The Cabinet of Ministers says that the enhanced quarantine is designed to flatten the COVID-19 curve and smoothly launch the vaccination campaign.
• According to media reports, the quarantine restrictions in Ukraine will be maintained after the end of the January lockdown and will last throughout this year.