Juan, please see my replies below:
From: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) [mailto:AparicioJJ@state.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:03 PM
To: Elene Godziashvili
Subject: Re: Questions on Current Capacity
Thanks, Elene.
Just to clarify, let's say a person has symptoms and is hospitalized. They are tested.
If positive, they move to the confirmed cases number.
If negative, they move to the under quarantine number.
What we are having trouble understanding is why "under hospital supervision" doesn't show more movement. How long after someone is hospitalized are they tested
If a person is transported to a hospital in the first half of the day, an epidemiologist takes a sample in a second half after the hospital gives out a notification (FYI – a group of epis goes out on a field once a day) if a
person is hospitalized in the second half, an epidemiologist goes to take a sample in the morning next day. How long does it take to get results from the test? The new samples are gathering by
4-5 PM, the results are released by 6-7PM or sometimes 9-10PM. Do you know how many individuals total have been tested?
As of today 2, 231.
Thank you, again! Sorry for all of the questions, but we are trying to better understand the situation.
Best,
Juan José Aparicio | Political Officer
United States Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia
(O): +995 32 227 76 29 | (M) +995 598 080 254
Email: AparicioJJ@state.gov
From: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 12:42 PM
To: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) <AparicioJJ@state.gov>; Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: RE: Questions on Current Capacity
Dear Juan,
I am trying to answer your questions and be more clear. All COVID-19 tested positive cases are put at hospitals.
Other suspected cases (contact with COVID-19 positive cases, or crossing borders) are tested and even if the test is negative considering 14 day incubation period are put into
the quaranteen or self-isolation and monitored for 14 days. During incubation
period a
person can be tested negative even if is infected with COVID-19.
CONFIRMED CORONAVIRUS CASES - 108
RECOVERED - 21
UNDER QUARANTINE - 4995
UNDER HOSPITAL SUPERVISION – 278
„Under hospital supervision“ number includes patients who are alreaday diagnosed, + those who are waiting to be tested.
Regards,
Elene Godziashvili
International Relations Office / NCDC
Focal Point and Coordinator of US programs
Add:
Kakheti Highway 99, 0198
Tbilisi
Tel: (995 32) 116 001 (ext.711)
Mob: (995 591) 708 197
E-mail:
e.godziashvili@ncdc.ge;
elene.godziashvili@gmail.com
From: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) [mailto:AparicioJJ@state.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 10:54 AM
To: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>; Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: Re: Questions on Current Capacity
Thank you very much, Elene!
I have one very random question - I am trying to understand the "under hospital supervision" number on the stopcov.ge website. Can you help me understand what this means? The number has stayed pretty constant
(~270) without going up or down too often. In what case would someone go into quarantine versus under hospital supervision? Are those under hospital supervision tested? If so, why don't we see the numbers going down? Thank you!
Best,
Juan José Aparicio | Political Officer
United States Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia
(O): +995 32 227 76 29 | (M) +995 598 080 254
Email: AparicioJJ@state.gov
From: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2020 5:42 PM
To: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) <AparicioJJ@state.gov>;
Tamar Gabunia <tgabunia@moh.gov.ge>; Amiran Gamkrelidze <A.Gamkrelidze@ncdc.ge>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: RE: Questions on Current Capacity
Dear Juan,
I have reviewed your letter with Dr. Amiran and responding on his behalf and within the competences of the NCDC.
First of all thank you for all your personal efforts and prompt attention to our emergency requests. Please see the answers below:
From: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) [mailto:AparicioJJ@state.gov]
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2020 4:55 PM
To: Tamar Gabunia <tgabunia@moh.gov.ge>; Amiran Gamkrelidze <A.Gamkrelidze@ncdc.ge>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>; Elene Godziashvili
<E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>
Subject: Questions on Current Capacity
Good afternoon Dr. Gabunia, Dr. Amiran, Maia, and Elene,
I hope you are all well. I had a few questions and I ask for your assistance in collecting the information:
Several embassy offices are working to procure supplies and equipment for our Georgian partners. What is the total amount of critical supplies the government currently has (testing
kits, key PPE, ventilators, etc) and how long is that expected to last?
At this point the following calculations for testing kits: 70, 000 based on PCR technologies and 80, 000 Antigen-based tests. 30, 000 PPE
for the NCDC and Municipal Public Health Centers. By our estimations – 500 000 totally. Although, the country (including the Lugar Center) is equipped with the PCR machines, for strengthening the capacity it would be great to purchase 2 additional ones. Currently,
the capacity of 2000 ventilators with different conditions exists at hospitals. As for the pandemic, we expect to its prolongation from 3 months to 6 months.
Separately, what is the total number of quarantine spaces in Georgia currently? We saw news reports in the last few days that the government hoped to double the number of spaces and
currently has contracts with 40 hotels - what does this mean in terms of capacity? Similarly, what is Georgia's current number of hospital beds for COVID-19 patients?
As of today – 4, 427 persons are in quarantine spaces. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (National Tourism Administration)
is dealing with the selection of additional spaces. 12, 000 hospital beds are being prepared by the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs except the Children’s Central Hospital, Psychiatric Clinic,
TB etc. Out of them 3, 500-4000 beds are ready for patients.
Finally, we are tracking the lockdown in Marneuli and Bolnisi very closely and noted Minister Tikaradze's comment yesterday that the rapid tests would be used in Marneuli, as well
as today's news that the contract with Bioeazy was terminated. What are the testing protocols in the lockdown areas - how are officials deciding who to test? Separately, is there any news about the previously mentioned 200,000 tests from South Korea?
The Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are
running negotiations on purchasing 200, 000 antigen rapid tests. Those will be dedicated to the expanded testing.
If a call is easier, please do let me know - I would be available to speak on Monday at your convenience. Thank you for your partnership, and please know that we at the Embassy are doing
our best through formal assistance channels to support Georgia in this time as always.
Please, let me express our highest consideration and respect to the US Embassy to Georgia for all their support providing to our country.
I will be available for a call any time after 11:00 am on Monday.
Best,
Juan José Aparicio | Political Officer
United States Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia
(O): +995 32 227 76 29 | (M) +995 598 080 254
Email: AparicioJJ@state.gov