For the fifth week in a row, the number of COVID-19 patients in Ukraine has been declining. This was the topic for discussion at a conference call on preventing the spread of coronavirus disease in Ukraine, chaired by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Ministry of Health, last week the number of officially confirmed cases of COVID-19 decreased by 15%, the number of hospitalizations - by 13%.

"The burden on the healthcare system is also gradually declining. Resuscitation beds are now occupied by 55%, the occupancy of oxygen beds for the week decreased from 48% to 40%. Meanwhile, patients receiving oxygen therapy occupy 33% of all beds determined for COVID-infected patients," said Minister of Health Viktor Liashko.

According to the Ministry of Health, no Omicron variant has been detected in Ukraine to date. For his part, the Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Health to update daily information on the new variant.

The Ministry of Health also reported that in 16 regions of the country 40% of the adult population has at least one vaccination against COVID-19. In 6 regions, 40% of the population has already completed a full course of vaccination.

"Our plan is 70% of the adult population. We need to speed up the vaccination process and do everything possible to save Ukrainians. Vaccination is the only way to overcome the pandemic," said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

According to the data provided by the Ministry of Health, in the near future the State Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Situation will consider the issue of transferring 9 regions from the red to yellow zone of epidemic danger. At the same time, new quarantine rules came into force on December 6, which provide for tightening restrictions in the yellow zones. Thus, attending public events, cinemas, theaters, catering establishments and gyms will be allowed only if 100% of teams and visitors have at least one dose of vaccination, a negative test or a certificate of recovery.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs stressed that the representatives of the institutions at the entrance should check the QR-codes by scanning the Diia document. The National Police will carefully check compliance with these rules.