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 : | Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) <AparicioJJ@state.gov> |
| To : | Tamar Gabunia <tgabunia@moh.gov.ge>; Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge> |
| Subject : | Re: Questions on Current Capacity |
| Cc : | Geleishvili, Marika (CDC Tbilisi) <ivu9@cdc.gov> |
| Received On : | 13.04.2020 06:43 |
| Attachments : |
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
Dear Juan
Many thanks for your follow up on PPE needs and communicating with Maia. I apologize for late response. We ‘ ve received some additional supply (distributed to priority COVID/Fever clinics) and anticipate to receive more (total value of procured Items currently in transit is 1.3 million USD. These items will be fully delivered by the end of April in three separate batches starting from tomorrow. The ministries for agriculture and foreign affairs and MoF are supporting as with procurement.
In parallel, based on WHO estimates we are working with donors to secure funding and have access to needed commodities, including test kits (PCR, rapid Ag and antibody tests). Locally produced masks are not used by medical personnel working in high risk wards. However, NCDC approved use of locally manufactured gowns and combinizons by hospital and ambulance service staff. These are measures we’ve put in place to avoid critical shortage of supplies.
Should you have additional questions please let me know.
Best
Tamar
From: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) <AparicioJJ@state.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 3:59 PM
To: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Cc: Geleishvili, Marika (CDC Tbilisi) <ivu9@cdc.gov>
Subject: RE: Questions on Current Capacity
Maia,
In addition to my questions below on the Rukhi hospital, I have a few follow up questions on PPE stocks.
I saw your estimate that Georgia has 1 – 2 weeks of PPE in stock, and is urgently communicating with producers for additional supplies. When does MOH anticipate receiving the additional supply and would some of it come from the new domestic producers? Separately, if Georgia were to run critically low on PPE, are there contingency plans in place for medical professionals? Thanks!
Best,
Juan
From: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi)
Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 15:01
To: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: RE: Questions on Current Capacity
Thanks, Elene.
Maia, I look forward to any information you have about Rukhi hospital. In particular, does it have intensive care capability or any ventilators on site?
From: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>
Sent: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 14:54
To: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) <AparicioJJ@state.gov>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: RE: Questions on Current Capacity
Hello Juan,
Recovered cases are not active cases after discharging from hospital, however, they remain in a database of total confirmed cases. At the LC we are using WHO recommended Hong-Kong protocol based and prepared tests.
As for the Rukhi Hospital, I think, it is prerogative of the Ministry to respond.
Thanks,
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: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 2:45 PM
To: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: RE: Questions on Current Capacity
Thanks, Elene. And to confirm: “confirmed cases” includes those recovered right? Or it is just ‘active’ cases? Our team was also wondering which specific tests Lugar is using now.
Separately, do you know when the Rukhi hospital will be fully operational? We’re seeing reports that individuals from the occupied territories are being treated at Zugdidi hospital, but heard that Rukhi was being set up for this purpose. What is the status of Rukhi now?
Best.
Juan
From: Elene Godziashvili <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 14:25
To: Aparicio, Juan J (Tbilisi) <AparicioJJ@state.gov>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: RE: Questions on Current Capacity
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 <E.Godziashvili@ncdc.ge>;
Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
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