Expectation vs Reality. Kazakh Health Minister Alexey Tsoy announced a new forecast for the spread of coronavirus in the country. He also noted that from now on he will make similar COVID-19 projections every two weeks.
“According to the optimistic scenario, in August, where there will be a peak in the incidence rate, the country will probably report around 6,000 to 6,100 cases per day. Under a realistic scenario, there will be up to 9,000 new daily infections. And under a pessimistic scenario, up to 11,000 cases. In addition to such forecasts, we are also looking at the dynamics, we take into account our bed capacity, and act accordingly,” Tsoy said.
Tsoy also spoke about the plans to vaccinate children and adolescents aged 12-18 in Kazakhstan with the Pfizer vaccine. As he stressed, a preliminary agreement was reached on the supply of two million doses of the vaccine to the country in the fourth quarter of this year.
“Definitely, children will be vaccinated on a voluntary basis, only with parental consent. We’re just giving them this opportunity to vaccinate their children. Our ministry has received many requests to find vaccines to protect children. We do provide such an opportunity for adults, but, unfortunately, we can’t provide such help for children. It’s the right of parents to choose,” the minister said.
Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova
Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova
