The Minister of Health, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, delivered a statement following the Coronavirus Scientific Committee meeting.
Noting that the whole world had been fighting the pandemic since last December, Koca said, "The virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic is a new one. We are faced with a new challenge every day and learn about this virus as we fight it. As we get to know it, our strategies and treatment algorithms change."
"An intense fight"
Minister Koca added that a variety of measures were taken following the detection of the first case in Turkey such as the cancellation of elective surgeries in hospitals, identification of pandemic hospitals, operationalization of emergency hospitals, isolation of positive cases, tracing of contacts, quarantine and restrictive measures, curfew for the elderly, shifting to online education, and the cancellation of public events and mass gatherings.
"A great increase in Anatolia"
Reminding the great increase of cases in Anatolia following the holiday season in summer, Koca continued, "I personally visited the region to discuss the situation with local governments. We tried to pinpoint the gaps, the mistakes and the shortcomings. Both the central government and local governments had done their best to mitigate these gaps. We saw that measures helped us to contain the situation."
"Increasing test capacity"
Minister Koca mentioned that the test capacity was being increased very rapidly, and added, "We are still increasing the capacity. We have authorized all healthcare institutions with the adequate laboratory infrastructure.
"The rising trend in Istanbul, Izmır and Bursa has spread across the country"
Noting that the rising trend in Istanbul, Izmir and Bursa has spread across the country, Koca continued, "Even though we have been able to shoulder this burden until today thanks to our robust healthcare infrastructure and self-sacrificing healthcare workers, strict measures were inevitable. We have difficult days ahead where we must collectively stay vigilant. We do not have the luxury to tolerate negligence or to become complacent."
Minister Koca said that the biggest motivation for healthcare workers was to see the number of cases fall and added, "Let us not forget that there is a limit to what they can bear, let us support them. Let's avoid crowds and stay at home. Let's take a rain check on getting together with friends and family. Let's organize our lives without having to resort to restrictions. I am fully confident that each and every Turkish citizen will support us in our fight."
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