The Almaty Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Department has responded to social media posts about a virus that is literally "knocking people off their feet" in the city, infohub.kz reports.
Speaking at a briefing at the regional communications service, Deputy Head of the Department Gauhar Katkenova said laboratory monitoring shows that rhinovirus, parainfluenza, RSV and seasonal coronavirus are currently circulating in Almaty.
"There are no other new viruses, unidentified or previously unseen. There are eight centers that collect samples year-round for laboratory testing and identify circulation — which viruses are present at any given moment. And according to the results of laboratory monitoring, what I have listed has been detected," Katkenova said.
She also noted that Almaty residents can currently get vaccinated against influenza. The Grippol vaccine was purchased with local budget funds — 250,000 doses for at-risk citizens — while others can get the shot for a fee.
Gauhar Katkenova added that Almaty has a sufficient supply of hospital beds and reserve capacity, allowing it to fully hospitalize all patients in need, including children and at-risk citizens.
"At the city children's infectious diseases hospital, we currently have 360 beds deployed, but we also have another 67 reserve beds. At the city clinical infectious diseases hospital, we now have 200 beds deployed. An additional 50 reserve beds will be deployed. And at the city maternity hospital, we have one department with 70 beds deployed. Depending on the epidemiological situation, 10 more reserve beds will be deployed there as well," Katkenova said.
She said there is no shortage of medicines or personal protective equipment.