Turkish Medical Association statement on Health Ministry’s ‘COVID-19 Situation Report’

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The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council has released a statement regarding the "COVID-19 Situation Report Turkey," which was released online by the Ministry of Health yesterday (July 2).

CLICK - Health Ministry's COVID-19 Situation Report now available

Underlining that it is the first time such a report containing epidemiological data about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Turkey has been shared by the Ministry of Health, the TTB has welcomed the report, noting that they are expecting the release of similar datasets at frequent intervals.

"The report in question is the first situation report containing a small part of the epidemiological data that we have long been demanding about COVID-19 in our country," the TTB report has stressed further.

'It has evolved into a problematic process'

Referring to the figures and statistics shared by the Ministry in the report, the TTB has raised concerns that the average number of people diagnosed with and hospitalized for COVID-19 a day in the last 7 and 14 days has increased when compared with the 28-day averages.

The Association has underlined that "in contrast with this, it is seen that the number of patients discharged from hospital and that of the ones who have recovered from the disease have been on the decrease."

Accordingly, it has warned, "As the incubation period of the disease is 14 days, this more negative situation detected in the last 7 and 14 days indicates that the outbreak has evolved into a more problematic process, rather than being taken under control at its current stage in our country."

'Decrease in number of fatalities has stopped'

Referring to the statistics and numbers shared by the Ministry of Health on a daily basis, the Association has noted that "the decrease in the number of fatalities per week has stopped" and added:

"The number of fatalities in the last two weeks is 290. When compared with the two-week period before that, it is seen that we have lost 23 citizens more.

"In other words, the average number of fatalities a day has been 20.7 in the last two weeks, which marks a 19-percent increase (3.6 persons) when compared to the two-week period before that."

Reminding that the curve of COVID-19 outbreak started to go downward in Turkey after April 20, the TTB has indicated that the number of confirmed cases has started to increase again after June 2, namely one day after Turkey adopted further normalization steps across the country.

According to the TTB statement, in addition to the recent increase in the number of confirmed cases, there has also been a rise in the number of patients who are in intensive care units and intubated.

"According to the data of the Ministry of Health, the decrease in the number of fatalities has stopped in the last week; in fact, there has been a slight increase," the Association has indicated further.

'Promoting tourism is not ministry's priority'

Welcoming the increase in the number of average tests done in a day, especially over the past seven days, the TTB has still raised concerns that "the rates of repetitive tests and which groups were tested have not been announced." This lack of information "prevents a sufficient interpretation of the increasing number of tests," the TTB has noted.

In the "Last 7-day incidence" part of its "COVID-19 Situation Report", the Ministry of Health said, "...the last 7-day incidence per 100,000 population for Antalya, Nevşehir and Muğla were 1.4, 1.3 and 0.7 respectively. These provinces have the lowest incidence rate among metropolis in the last 7 days, also the most preferred provinces for tourism."

Criticizing the above remarks, the TTB has warned that "it is not the primary priority of the Health Ministry to promote tourism activities."

Accordingly, the Association has called on the Ministry "to take a closer look at the imbalance in the incidence of disease in different regions and to make a comprehensive evaluation in the light of current epidemiological data so that the health of individuals and the public can be protected."

It has also reiterated its call "to bring up the issue of measures / inspections that will increase physical distance in all environments where people come together for purposes of work, transportation and socialization, etc. in that period which is called 'normalization'." (EKN/SD)