The rate of COVID-19 spread in Ukraine is slowing down, despite the record high numbers of infections that are recorded every day, the National Academy of Science reported on April 6.
“The share of old cases in daily published data is growing. This means that the real rate of spread may be lower than what is reflected in official statistics,” the report says.
In some laboratories, it can take over a week to receive test results. Daily statistics reported by the Health Ministry do not reflect the most recent epidemiological situation.
Ukraine could have been in a “plateau” phase for the past week, as new infections have been steadily high, but not growing, researchers estimate.
They also note that 18% fewer PCR tests have been conducted on Monday, April 5, compared to the Monday a week prior.
At the same time, the death rate has been increasing.
On average, 370 people have died every day over the past week, which is 30% more deaths than exactly a week ago.
“Official statistics data will significantly depend on delays in the entry and processing of statistical information. Mortality depends significantly on the occupancy and availability of hospitals, so it is very difficult to predict,” researchers say.
A record number of deaths was reported on April 6, as 481 Ukrainians succumbed to COVID-19 complications.
On the same day, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov announced that the medical system has reached its maximum capacity.
“We have reached a certain limit – and there is nowhere to increase because other diseases did not take a break and they must also be treated,” Stepanov said during a briefing.
The vaccination rate in Ukraine remains alarmingly slow – just two Ukrainians have received a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Only 334,578 people have been vaccinated so far, which is 0.75% of the total population of Ukraine of almost 42 million people.
