Page 8 - GEORptFeb22

western Samegrelo region.
2.3 Georgia’s COVID-19 hospitalisation rate drops from 20% to 4.5%
36% of Georgian adult population fully vaccinated
The hospitalisation rate for those infected with coronavirus in Georgia has decreased from 20% to 4.5%, Georgian Health Minister Zurab Azarashvili said on January 26.
Azarashvili said over 8,000 beds were available at hospitals for patients, up to 4,500 of which had been occupied over the last two weeks.
Azarashvili said the expectation regarding the severity of the Omicron coronavirus variant had been met, noting the surge of daily cases had not increased pressure on the hospital sector.
He further added the main workload was observed at online clinics, noting “in the last week we have added many qualified family physicians as well as call centre operators”.
The health minister also reiterated the significance of vaccination and announced the government aimed to send about 40 mobile groups to regions of the country where “vaccines are less available”.
"We are also launching a communication campaign on vaccination and it will explain the benefits of immunisation,” Azarashvili added.
Overall, 1,607 cases of the Omicron variant have been confirmed in the country as of January 26.
Over one-third of Georgia’s adult population is now fully vaccinated, according to data from public health officials.
A total of 35.6 percent of the adult Georgian population is fully vaccinated as of December 5, the National Centre for Disease Control announced.
The number of fully vaccinated individuals stands at 1,017,374, while those who have received their first shots stands at 1,196,371.
Meanwhile, Georgia has reported a total of 3,410 new cases of the coronavirus, 4,732 recoveries and 46 deaths over the last 24 hours.
To boost the vaccination rate, the Georgian government has carried out a vaccination marathon by sending medical workers to rural areas of the country to talk to locals about the benefits of vaccination.
Moreover, pensioners who are vaccinated against COVID-19 before January 1, 2022, will receive 200 GEL pension bonuses.
Currently, the Pfizer, Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines are available in all regions of Georgia for adult residents. Adolescents aged 16-17 and youngsters from 12 to 15 with chronic conditions are also eligible to receive Pfizer shots.
COVID-19 ‘green’ passes have come into force in Georgia on December 1, obliging the public to present proof of vaccination, testing or recovery from COVID-19 when entering certain establishments.
8 GEORGIA Country Report February 2022 www.intellinews.com