Minister of Health, Dr Fahrettin Koca delivered a press statement following the Regional Assessment Meeting covering the provinces of Van, Muş, Hakkari and Bitlis in Van.
Minister Koca visited Van and was briefed on the latest situation in the province by Mehmet Emin Bilmez, the governor and the acting head of the municipality.
"The case numbers are incresing across the country"
Referring to the nationwide fight against the coronavirus, Koca said "The case numbers are increasing across the country. However, this increase is not the same everywhere. Van has become one of these provinces that we are closely following up on. Our fight continues with a close cooperation with governors and healthcare workers."
"Turkey is one of the best countries in terms of contact tracing"
Noting that the number of contact tracing teams in Van was increased from 80 to 128 and the contact tracing time was reduced from 27 hours to 16 hours, Koca said "Turkey is one of the best countries in terms of contact tracing. We have made great use out of this strength in Van. We hope to see the impact of that in the coming days,” he said.
Minister Koca also visited Van Training and Research Hospital.
After his visit to the hospital, the Minister conducted a series of meetings to evaluate the current situation, needs and healthcare infrastructure of Van, Muş, Hakkari and Bitlis with provincial health directorates, field coordinators and chief physicians of hospitals in these provinces.
"During this period, I have personally attended to problematic provinces"
In his speech, Koca highlighted the importance of minimizing severe cases and loss of life by pursuing a controlled life, and continued, "However, our habits, traditions, sociocultural structure and social interactions have left us face to face with an uncontrolled life. The number of cases has increased in Van, Muş, Bitlis and Hakkari. In some provinces, rapid increase in the number of cases has led to problems. During this period, I have personally attended to problematic provinces. We have frequently met with governors and administrators to go over the causes of the increase and what needs to be done. We have rapidly intervened in the health infrastructures of problematic provinces."
"With our measures, we will fight until there is not a single case"
Koca pointed out that the number contact tracing teams will be increased from 128 to 150 in a couple of days and continued,"In Bitlis, the number contact tracing teams has been increased from 72 to 90. In Hakkari, from 44 to 65. In Muş, from 37 to 50. In Van, we have reduced the time to reach contacts from 26 to 17 hours. With our measures, we will fight until there is not a single case."
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