YEREVAN. – Although the number of infected people in Armenia is one of the highest in the world in terms of per one million inhabitants, we have a low mortality rate per one million inhabitants. Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan stated this on the air of Public TV, referring to the criticism directed at him in terms of failing the fight against COVID-19 in Armenia.
“Of all the registered cases, we strive for 1.7-1.8%; the death toll in the world with that indicator is 6-10%. We [Armenia] are equal to Germany in terms of the number of deaths per one million inhabitants. This means that despite the fact that new cases are registered and the virus is spreading, we manage to provide proper medical care to almost everyone. We have been able to develop our healthcare potential so much that we have such good indicators. I am proud that we have such good indicators,” the minister said.
Also, he asked not to compare the countries according to the number of infected people, as different countries have different strategies for conducting tests.
Torosyan also noted that Armenia may not reach a peak of COVID-19 at all. “We have been in the same situation for a week or two, and some international partners have said, ‘If you go on steadily for a long time with the same situation, you may be in a more advantageous position by fall, than the countries that once experienced intense peak which are waiting for a second intense peak,” he said.
According to Torosyan, Armenia should focus on resolving problems on the spot and rule out tourism for the next one year.
He stressed that they have always made timely decisions in the fight against the coronavirus.