Minister of Health, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, delivered a statement following the Coronavirus Scientific Committee meeting.
In his statement, Minister noted that the whole world was talking about Turkey's success in its strategy, innovative treatment methods and measures.
"Coronavirus is a global pandemic in a globalized world"
Pointing out the fact that the coronavirus outbreak was the biggest challenge for the world since World War Two, Koca continued: "The humanity has never faced a pandemic of this scale. Coronavirus is a global pandemic in a globalized world. The pandemic is forcing us to limit movement, isolate, have less contact and live in a controlled manner."
Evaluating Turkey's coronavirus situation of the day before, Koca said: "It was a better day compared to old days. Recovered patients make 70% of the total number of cases. 98.889 patients out of 141.475 has recovered. Even though our daily testing capacity has reached 50 thousand, we do not need to conduct that many tests since the disease has regressed. The rate of positive test results is going down regularly."
"Stable recovery"
Emphasizing the importance of contact tracing activities that were being conducted since March 10, Koca said: "Within the first 4 weeks, the whole nation changed the course of the disease. On April 11, 33.170 people were tested and 5.138 people were diagnosed. That was the day when the number of cases was the highest. On April 29, our daily testing capacity increased up to 43.498. The number of new patients decreased despite our testing capacity. At week 5, we are experiencing a stable recovery. It is safe to say that the pandemic is under control.
"If we give virus the chance, we can go back to a month ago"
Pointing out that it was wrong to think that everyone carrying the virus was isolated at home or at hospitals, Koca continued: "Virus will continue to live among us until when, we do not know. Virus will be on the move, globally."
"We are not living in the pre-Wuhan world"
Noting that Turkey was in the second phase of the pandemic, Koca said: "We are in a very hopeful period. We are opening up testing laboratories to prevent transmission and protect the health of employees in industrial zones. We are introducing measures and rules for pandemic risk management at work sites. As the ministry, we are formulating health standards for a new life. We all know that this is not a typical normalization. Things will not be the way they used to be. The pandemic brought about a new way of life and showed us what was possible. Now, major institutions are having video conferences. Similarly, governments take major decisions virtually. We are not living in the pre-Wuhan world anymore."
'Life Fits Home' has amassed 10 million users
Noting that the basis of a controlled social life was mask and social distancing, Koca added:"A controlled social life means staying away from high-risk areas and to organize our lives in a way that we minimize the risk. The success of a controlled social life depends on the contribution and measures of institutions."
Adding that the 'Life Fits Home' application was providing guidance against possible risk, Koca noted that the application had amassed 10 million users.
Pointing out that the controlled social life was to be implemented not individually but together, Koca continued: "Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Please warn people who do not follow or try to bend these rules. We have to encourage institutions, give them suggestions. At this point in our fight against the coronavirus, we need stability. Thanks to our experience, we are not more rigorous and confident. We have got the pandemic under control. If we can get out social lives under control as well, we will see better days. Bright and beautiful days."
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