‘Normalization is a must for an economically and socially sustainable struggle’

* Photo: Aytuğ Sencar - Ankara / AA

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Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca addressed the reporters following a meeting with the Coronavirus Science Board yesterday (June 17).

Indicating that Turkey is better than Europe and the US in terms of fatality rates, Minister Koca has said that the recent increase in the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases "is no surprise, as they were expecting such fluctuations," noting that it has still exceeded expectations.

CLICK - İstanbul, Ankara and Bursa mandate face masks

The Science Board recommended that wearing face masks outside should also be mandatory in Ankara, İstanbul and Bursa provinces, Koca has said.

Other highlights from his speech are as follows:

'Land ahead, but sea is still rough'

"I insistently emphasize that the normalization that we have initiated in June is not a return to the old way of living.

"We are aware of the indispensable necessities of social life. Production must continue; a lively education, transportation, trade and tourism are indispensable elements for the future of a society.

"Land sighted, but the sea is still rough. Normalization is a must for an economically and socially sustainable struggle. The more controlled the normalization is, the safer we will be.

"The recent changes in the number of our cases and patients in intensive care is a reflection of these fluctuations. There are no surprises, we are within the expected range.

'Intensity of cases has decreased'

"Corona is still at work, but the disease is under control. We have no evidence that the intensity of the virus has declined, but we have observations that the intensity of cases has decreased.

"While our patients were hospitalized for over 20 days in the first days, this period has dropped to 2.9 days. The average time spent in intensive care has dropped from 18.9 days to 2.7 days.

"A lower rate of patients are intubated now. The average time of intubation has increased from a day to 2.6 days. The fatality rate of intubated patients has decreased considerably. While 67 percent of the intubated and 53 percent of the ones in intensive care were losing their lives, these rates have dropped to 4 and 2 percent respectively.

"In early April, the number of newly intubated patients was around 133 a day. In early June, this number has dropped to 18. The number of patients taken to intensive care has also dropped from around 330 to 34.

"Throughout the outbreak, 71.7 percent of the fatalities are over the age of 60 and had at least one underlying disease while the ones who were younger than 60 and had no underlying diseases account for 4.6 percent.

Current situation by provinces

"The highest rate of fatalities in comparison with the number of cases is in Gümüşhane province. The lowest rate is in Kilis with 1.33 percent.

"The average number of daily cases in Ankara has been 127 in the last month, 155 in the last week and 177 in the last three days.

"The average number of daily cases in İstanbul has been 653 in the last month, 620 in the last week and 616 in the last three days.

"The average number of daily cases in İzmir has been 32 in the last month, 38 in the last week and 34 in the last three days.

"The average number of daily cases in Bursa province has been 64 in the last month, 84 in the last week and 93 in the last three days. This number has increased to 100 over the past one day.

"The average number of daily cases in Kocaeli has been 78 in the last month, 91 in the last week and 113 in the last three days. It is still increasing.

"The average number of daily cases in Konya province has been 41 in the last month, 73 in the last week and 88 in the last three days. This figure has neared 100 over the last one day.

"The average number of daily cases in Diyarbakır province has been 58 in the last month, 81 in the last week and 87 in the last three days. This number has approached 100s in the last one day.

"The average number of daily cases in Van has been 7 in the last month, 17 in the last week and 14 in the last three days.

'We do not plan restrictions on going out'

"We are not thinking of imposing restrictions on going out or curfews in upcoming days. It was not brought up at the Science Board meeting.

"There can be fluctuations as in the case of several other countries of the world. These fluctuations are directly proportional to the measures. Is this fluctuation a normal fluctuation? I can say that it is more than we expected. We know that it is higher in some regions, in Central and Eastern Anatolia.

'Over 93 percent of fatalities older than 65'

"I can say that there are no increases among our young people aged 18 and younger. As I have previously said, the average age of cases has dropped. This rate has increased especially with young people now going out...

"As for the fatalities, the rate of fatalities aged 65 and older has hit 93 percent. Especially in this period, this age distribution has gradually increased from 70s to 73.4."

Concluding his remarks, Minister Koca has also touched upon the High-School Entrance Exam (YKS) to be held on June 20 and the Higher Education Entrance Exam (YKS) scheduled for a week later.

"The Science Board had an attitude and recommendations to hold both the LGS and YKS in a safe manner in this period," Minister Koca has said.

He has added that the Science Board has recommended measures pertaining to the hours of entry and exit of the exams and these recommendations have been shared with the President, who "has then given instruction to realize entries and exits in a safe manner." (EKN/SD)