Over AMD 5.8 billion spent by Armenian health ministry to combat COVID-19

YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. From March to July 1, 2020, the Armenian health ministry has spent more than 5.808 billion drams on comprehensive measures to combat COVID-19 infection, according to the health ministry’s financial report.

These funds were spent for the following purposes:

• the cost of maintaining the redesigned medical centers - more than 1.44 billion drams,
• Covid-19 rewards - over 651.9 million AMD,
• expenses for the maintenance of temporary isolation facilities - almost AMD 389.7 million,
• provision with protective equipment - over 669.3 million drams,
• provision of medicines and medical devices - over 828 million drams,
• provision of medical equipment - more than 1.06 billion drams,
• repair of medical centers - over 618.8 million drams,
• purchases for other needs of state bodies - over 140.6 million drams.

The ministry’s press service noted that these data relate only to the expenses borne by the ministry, since certain expenses were also made by numerous other departments.

"The costs associated with the coronavirus are consistent and will be updated periodically," the press release said.

According to the latest report issued on July 26, there were 37,317 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 26478 recovered patients and 705 deaths in Armenia.

A state of emergency was declared in Armenia on March 16, 2020 in order to curb the spread of coronavirus, and then was extended four times. Thus, according to the decision of the government of July 13, the state of emergency is valid in Armenia until 17:00 on August 12.

The restrictions on free movement and certain types of economic activities introduced on March 24 were lifted on May 4, and on May 18, public transport, gyms, kindergartens, and catering facilities resumed operating. ($1 – AMD 485.29). -0---