COVID-19 in Ukraine: 548 dead, 18,876 cases, 260 new infections

The number of officially confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine has reached 18,876 as of 9 a.m. on May 19, according to Ukraine’s health ministry. In total, 548 people have died from the disease in Ukraine and 5,632 patients have recovered.

In the past 24 hours, Ukraine has identified 260 new COVID-19 cases. Additionally, 356 people have recovered and 13 people have died from the disease. The number of new cases has been decreasing for three consecutive days, and the number of recoveries has increased compared to the previous day.

Among the confirmed cases, 1,348 are children and 3,969  are medical workers, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during the morning briefing on May 19.

According to Stepanov, in the past 24 hours, Ukraine has carried out 7,062 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the most accurate way of diagnosing COVID-19. In total, Ukraine has conducted 239,961 tests as of May 19.

With just 260 new cases registered in the past 24 hours, Ukraine has recorded its smallest daily number since April 19. The country reported its largest single-day number of new cases — 578 — on April 22.

Chernivtsi Oblast in western Ukraine remains the largest hotbed of the disease, with 2,742 confirmed cases. It is followed by the city of Kyiv with 2,359 cases, Kyiv Oblast with 1,245 cases and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast with 1,235 cases. These numbers indicate the total cases confirmed since the beginning of the pandemic, not just active ones.

The government has signed a decree to launch mass antibody testing for COVID-19, according to Stepanov. This testing will be free for people with COVID-19 symptoms, those who came into contact with infected patients and people who are in risk groups, such as medical workers and the police.

Ukraine will also allow swimming as beach season is about to begin, according to Viktor Lyashko, Ukraine’s Deputy Health Minister and top sanitary doctor. According to experts, the combination of sun and saltwater destroys the coronavirus, and it is difficult to get infected in rivers with running water, he said.

According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s quarantine will be extended beyond its current expiration date on May 22. But on the same day, Ukraine may enter into stage two of easing quarantine restrictions, he said. The government will allow holding sporting events without spectators, reopening gyms, reopening all hotels except hostels and administering high school graduation exams for students. Stepanov said that city and suburban public transport will also be restored on May 22.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the city plans to reopen gyms, large stores and industrial markets and to relaunch some public transport for non-critical workers on May 22. He also said that Kyiv is ready to reopen the city’s metro starting May 25.

The national government will indeed allow the metro to reopen on May 25 in cities where the “epidemiological situation allows,” Shmyhal said during a political talk show on ICTV on May 18. He also said the government will allow kindergartens to reopen on May 25.

Stepanov said that starting on May 22 the government will introduce an “adaptive quarantine.” Every 10 days – on June 1, June 10 and June 21 – the government will allow the easing some quarantine restrictions depending on three criteria: the number of new cases for the last 7 days per 100,000 people, occupancy of beds in hospitals treating patients with COVID-19 and the number of tests conducted. Until a certain region meets the government’s requirements for these three criteria, it will not be allowed to enter the next stage of easing the restrictions, Stepanov said.

Ukraine started lifting some of the quarantine restrictions on May 11-12.

Ukraine’s daily COVID-19 cases, deaths and recoveries from April 7 to May 18, 2020. All data were released by the Ministry of Health. (Bermet Talant)

Ukraine’s daily new COVID-19 cases and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the most accurate way of diagnosing the novel coronavirus, between April 7 and May 18, 2020. All data was published by the Ministry of Health. (Bermet Talant)

Eased restrictions in Kyiv and Ukraine 

On May 4, the government announced the rollback of certain quarantine restrictions starting May 11-12. Businesses that were allowed to reopen in Kyiv include:

• hairdressers and beauty salons;
• all stores that are up to 300 square meters in area, but the number of customers inside simultaneously shouldn’t exceed one person per 10 square meters;
• restaurants will be allowed to sell take-out (although many were already doing it) and seat customers on summer terraces (provided they follow safety restrictions);
• manufacturing enterprises and businesses offering services (repairs, clothing ateliers, etc.); they will also need to ensure that no more than one person — either a client or an employee — per one square meter is inside the building at any time;
• the offices of lawyers and notaries.

Other cities in Ukraine may see even more restrictions lifted. The Cabinet of Ministers’ list of businesses that can reopen also includes shopping malls, kiosks (including those selling food and beverages), museums, libraries and dental clinics.

At the same time, gyms, fitness centers, food courts in shopping malls, universities, schools, kindergartens, cinemas and drama theaters will still remain closed across Ukraine.

On May 13, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers increased the number of people that can walk in groups in public places and sit at the same table in outdoor restaurants, Stepanov announced. According to the new rules, groups of up to eight people are allowed together in public places, including in parks. Up to four people can sit together at restaurant tables. This decision should come into effect when the government publishes a decree in the coming days.

Special measures in Chernivtsi Oblast

In Chernivtsi Oblast, the region worst hit by COVID-19, local authorities decided on May 12 to extend the ban on opening non-essential stores, dental practices, children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms. They also continue to require wearing medical masks in public places.

At the same time, the oblast has allowed cafes and restaurants to resume takeout and delivery service and museums, law and notary offices and psychology practices to reopen.

Public transportation  

Ukraine will gradually reintroduce public transportation in Ukrainian cities starting May 11, even though the quarantine is scheduled to last until May 22. However, the government has not specified what kind of transport will relaunch. Health Minister Stepanov said on May 6 that it is up to city mayors to decide.

In Kyiv, only the number of trams and trolleys will be increased, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Global virus outbreak

Globally, COVID-19 has infected over 4.89 million people. In total, 320,189 people have died as of the morning of May 19; 1.90 million patients have recovered.