Ukraine Pummelled by Covid-19

Photo: Marta Novikova

Ukraine is now among the group of countries which have the highest growth in newly reported COVIDー19 deaths over the last 14 days, according to the New York Times.

And with almost 15,000 new cases reported Saturday, it’s also among top countries where cases are higher and staying high. In April, the former Soviet republic topped the list of European countries with the highest COVID-19 infection rate, according to the statistics portal Worldometer.

While several parts of the country are under strict measures, adherence to public health measures is low and vaccine hesitancy high.

As of April 16, only 445,859 people have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca. Only five people received two doses of the vaccine so far. That’s 1 per 100 people, among the lowest rates in the world and behind many developing countries and even conflict-ridden Myanmar. Neighbouring Hungary has managed to vaccinate 45 per 100 people.

Chinese vaccines have been ordered by the government of Volodymyr Zelensky but acceptance by Ukrainians of non-European vaccines has been traditionally low.

Earlier in April, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said. “If we do not stop the rapid spread of the disease quickly, the medical system of the capital will collapse.”

The struggle to contain the virus happens as the country has been bracing itself against a massive buildup of Russian troops and military hardware along border regions. According to one estimate, well over 30 percent of Russian ground forces are amassed within easy striking distance of Ukraine. A simmering conflict in eastern Ukraine with Russian-backed fighters has resulted in some 14,000 dead and millions displaced.

Over the weekend, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Paris to meet with French and German counterparts to reinvigorate Normandy Format talks with Russia.

For context on the ongoing escalation, read my OpEd here.

To limit virus spread, access to public transportation has been restricted in hotspot zones such as Kyiv. (Photo - Marta Novikova)