Almaty Waits for Influx of Patients During New Year Holidays

As Almaty Regional Communication Service has reported, Almaty authorities wait for a rush of people who may fall sick with coronavirus during the celebration of Kazakhstan’s Independence Day and New Year. Officials called on people to avoid parties or events and comply with the face covering regime.

According to Birzhan Ospanov, chief officer of Almaty ambulance station, the reason so many people have been calling an ambulance on the first day of the new year usually involves fireworks or petards. In the vast majority of cases, this type of injury hurts children. However, other people may be hurt at home too. For example, many are falling sick because of food poisoning.

«Everyone wants to spend time with their friends and loved ones, especially during the holidays. Therefore, we ask you, our fellow citizens, to limit your social contacts because when you avoid crowds and big gatherings of people, you can protect your loved ones. Stay apart from any events and crowds. Remember, the COVID-19 bacteria can be transmitted by air. Wear your masks, wash your hands and make sure that the place where you live or work is clean,» Ospanov said.

Earlier, it was reported that Almaty once again has entered the yellow zone of moderate risk of infection. There are just three such zones in Kazakhstan: red zone if 50 cases per 100,000 people are reported (the rate of infection transmission or R is more than one); yellow zone – from 25 to 50 cases reported (R is more than one); and green zone, when the number of reported cases is fewer than 50 per 100,000 of population (R is less than one).

At the same time Altay Kulginov, mayor of Nur-Sultan, also called on town residents to drop their plans to make company parties to celebrate New Year’s and warned owners of cafés and restaurants against holding any big events.  

«We are monitoring news, what decisions or measures were set in place in countries where COVID-19 cases have grown. The New Year holiday is a family holiday. Please, stay home and be safe,» he said.

To reduce the risk of infection, authorities are going to reinstate some restrictions. For example, big trade and entertainment centers won’t work on Sundays.