The number of officially confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine has reached 897 as of 10 p.m. on April 2, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health. Twenty-two people have been killed by the disease, an increase of two.
Town in Ternopil Oblast reports the highest number of infected doctors. “We can’t fight coronavirus with our bare hands,” says an ambulance paramedic in the video. “We need masks, gloves, hazmat suits, medications, tests.”
Ukraine’s scientists make COVID-19 tests. Why isn’t the government buying? As the virus spreads, Ukraine has failed to build up testing capacity — despite the health ministry saying it wants 2 million PCR tests.
Non-coronavirus patients struggle in Ukraine as their treatment is interrupted by COVID-19. As the coronavirus pandemic spreads exponentially in Ukraine, people diagnosed with rare diseases, cancer, cardiovascular problems, and AIDS are at a higher risk than ever before.
11,000 Ukrainians still stranded abroad amid coronavirus pandemic. There are over 1,400 in Russia, 800 in Italy and 470 in India, for example. While the last regular flights in and out of the country ended at the start of March 28.
Culture, education to suffer from budget cuts during COVID-19 pandemic. The country is planning to tighten its belt and cut many expenses, while getting ready for deficit-busting spending in a budget that was planned to be about $50 billion for 2020.
SBU security agency exposes top official in espionage. “Through his actions, the official caused damage to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security,” the SBU said. Read more here.
Business News –
The National Bank of Ukraine has transferred $1.55 billion in banking profits to the state budget, the central bank said. The banking and financial sector regulator made the full transfer on April 1. It took place earlier than expected and amounted to some $72 million more than previously planned.
Bank of America expects Ukraine’s GDP to shrink by 5.6% in 2020. BofA analysts have given Ukraine one of its most negative forecasts, according to a review from the investment bank, as reported by Interfax. The forecast comes only a few days after the investment bank J.P. Morgan predicted that Ukraine’s economy would shrink by only 2.6% this year before probably bouncing back in 2021.
Read the full Ukraine Business Update
