Two more deaths in two days: Minister says 'flu situation stabilizes' (video)
Armenia’s Minister of Health Armen Muradyan does not know yet whether winter holidays in schools and kindergartens will be extended again or not. He says the decision will be made on Friday, taking into account the available indicators. “The situation with flu and less severe respiratory viruses in the republic has bettered. About 99 percent of the patients have been discharged from hospitals without any health problems,” Mr Muradyan said today. Since the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, 18 people have died in Armenia because of complications. Two of them died in the past two days. “Seven patients diagnosed with pneumonia continue receiving treatment in hospitals. Ninety-four of the 124 pregnant women remain under the care of doctors. A total of 1066 children were getting treatment at inpatient clinics of the republic and 170 have been discharged already,” the Minister added. Speaking about Tamiflu, an antiviral medication used in fighting swine flu, Mr Muradyan once again assured everyone that the medication has always been available free of charge both in hospitals and clinics. He added that all patients who needed the medicine received it with a prescription from a doctor. Speaking about the import of the medicine, the minister said, “Any company that has a license can sign a contract with a manufacturer and import the product. There is not a monopoly in the pharmaceutical field.”
