ArmInfo.Armenia's Minister of Defense David Tonoyan clarified and answered questions of interest to journalists regarding the prevention of penetration of a new type of coronavirus into the army.
So, in a statement, Tonoyan, in particular, notes that in order to prevent the virus from entering the ranks of the Armed Forces of the country, a large-scale medical and preventive work was carried out, the necessary conditions were created so that the servicemen would be away from the infection.
"However, it is impossible to completely stop the penetration of the virus into the army, since most of the military personnel are in daily contact with the civilian population.
So, on March 25, three coronavirus tests were taken from three servicemen not involved in the combat process. All three military personnel tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier, coronavirus was confirmed in a family member of one of the military personnel. All three confirmed cases of infection are connected with one of the primary foci of infection. According to the epidemiological research service, these servicemen were previously isolated, which significantly reduced the risk of further spread of the infection," Tonoyan emphasized.
The Minister stated that the above military men were hospitalized, their condition is satisfactory, none of them have pneumonia. At the same time, he added that one of the servicemen has a low temperature, while the other two have neither temperature nor other symptoms of the disease.
"I assure you that the military personnel who are diagnosed with coronavirus are provided with highly qualified medical care, and their life is not in danger.
At the same time, the entire circle of contacts of the above military personnel was revealed. Those in close contact and potential contacts are isolated in predetermined areas. They are also subject to strict daily supervision and provided with the necessary conditions. A further 32 troops were tested for coronavirus.
In this military unit, located at a considerable distance from the front line, a barracks conditions has been declared, the most serious anti-epidemic measures have been taken, medical monitoring is being carried out," the head of the Defense Ministry said. At the same time, Tonoyan emphasized that not a single case of the virus was detected in the Artsakh Defense Army.
"Large-scale preventive measures are ongoing in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia. Strict restrictions are in place in all military units to prevent infection, and daily monitoring of the health status of military personnel has been established. As a result of the comprehensive anti-epidemic measures and the strict restrictions applied in the Armed Forces last month, it was sharply reduced the number of diseases by other non-hazardous infectious diseases, which is a striking example of the effectiveness of measures taken", said the head of the Ministry of Defense, adding that compared with the same period of previous years, the number of diseases <acute respiratory diseases>, <chickenpox>, tonsillitis was reduced by 4 times, and currently there are no patients with intestinal infections in the Armed Forces.
In conclusion, he added that in recent years the number of patients with pneumonia in the army has been reduced by 5 times, and severe pneumonia by 10 times, as well as there have been no cases of death from the above illness in the Armed Forces.