Amiran Gamkrelidze: A growing trend can be traced while the primary sources are hard to identify - let's not loosen up!

Amiran Gamkrelidze, Head of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, once again calls for people to follow the recommendations released by the Ministry of Healthcare.

As Gamkrelidze told InterPressNews, people became less careful because of which there is a growing coronavirus trend.

According to him, identifying the primary sources has become harder.

"We've had 4 new cases for today morning. Throughout the day, the growing trend could be traced. The research is still going, it's not done yet; however, I'm sure that we'll have a couple of more cases. At the same time, it is hard to identify the primary source, which indicates that at the time of the ease of the regulations, people thought that coronavirus was already defeated - due to this, they do not follow the recommendations. I would like to emphasize once again, the coronavirus has not disappeared, the infection is still with us, moving around the country. Georgia has had less damage at this stage but this should not make us feel relaxed because the virus is circulating in the country.

I'm calling for people once again - let's not loosen up! Follow the main recommendations: social distancing, mask-wearing in indoor places and public transport, personal and public hygiene, applying disinfection solutions, favoring remote working, avoiding places of public resort. I want to emphasize that now, in the summer, everyone wants to get together and celebrate; however, we should abstain from big gatherings because there is a growing risk in the country that could be seen today. Especially, after the restaurants and cafes have opened up - it is important to observe social distancing and that sanitizers and special solutions to be present in these type of places", - stressed Amiran Gamkrelidze.

In addition, the Head of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health calls for citizens to refer to corresponding entities once they get the coronavirus symptoms.

"I'm calling for the citizens, to call the family doctor or corresponding medical institutions right after they get the initial symptoms. The symptoms include temperature rise, respiratory affection, coughing", - added Gamkrelidze.

As for the chances of reintroducing the restrictions, Gamkrelidze hoped that there would be no need for it.

"For the given epidemic situation which is in our country, there is no indication that the restrictions will come back; however, I want to ask everybody once again to follow the rules. 5, 7, 10 cases per day is not a reason for reintroducing the restrictions. That is only if we follow all recommendations which are being given - but there are signs that people have loosened up during the period of easing the regulations. The ease of regulations is inevitable because the economy should open up, people should be given more means to get more income. However, on the other hand, we should take care of our citizen's health. There should be a right balance between easing the regulations and our preparedness", - stated Gamkrelidze.