‘When It is Said Normalization, People Get the Impression That Pandemic Has Ended’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - June 11, Diyarbakır

Click to read the article in Turkish

As the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and fatalities started to decrease, Turkey has entered a phase of normalization as of June 1. Several places such as coffee houses, restaurants, hair salons have been reopened, the restrictions on intercity travel have been removed.

However, while the number of cases also dropped in Turkey's eastern and southern provinces in this period, new cases have recently been diagnosed in the region. In fact, even in Dersim, which was reported in the news as the only city without COVID-19 patients, there are now cases.

Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca has also confirmed this increase. Addressing the reporters after the Ministry's Coronavirus Science Board meeting on June 10, Koca indicated that the number of cases in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia had partly increased.

But, what is the reason behind this increase? What has the society understood from normalization? How do they perceive it?

The Chairs of Diyarbakır, Van, Urfa and Elazığ-Bingöl-Dersim Medical Chambers have spoken to bianet about the aftermath of June 1, when the normalization started, the restrictions on intercity travel were removed and new coronavirus cases started to emerge again.

Diyarbakır Medical Chamber Chair Mehmet Şerif Demir says that while there were around 900 cases in the city before the Ramadan feast in late May, it is now over 1,500. Elazığ-Bingöl-Dersim Medical Chamber Vice Chair Eser Ataş also says that the number of cases has reached 40.

According to Urfa Medical Chamber Chair Ömer Melik, the closed pandemic services at hospitals have opened again as a result of increasing number of cases. Van Medical Chamber Chair Özgür Deniz Değer notes that the number of patients has increased by 10-15 percent.

CLICK - Covid-19: What is Happening in Turkey's Eastern and Southeastern Regions?

'Number of cases is over 1,500 in Diyarbakır'

Diyarbakır Medical Chamber Chair Dr. Mehmet Şerif Demir:

With the outset of the new normalization process, Diyarbakır has witnessed an increase in the number of cases like in several other cities of Turkey. In Diyarbakır, the statements of "new normalization" and authorities' remarks of "we ended the outbreak" have made the society complacent.

When it was said normalization, people perceived it as the old normal. We have witnessed that the number of cases which dropped in May has started to increase swiftly in Diyarbakır as of June 1.

There were 900 cases before the Ramadan feast. This figure is now over 1,500. It is quite a serious increase. It is not certain, but there are almost 50 fatalities due to COVID-19 so far.

'Over 250 patients are followed up a day'

The number of patients followed up at hospitals due to COVID-19 a day has exceeded 250, which marks the highest number of cases followed up in hospitals in Diyarbakır since the outbreak of the pandemic.

We think that the reopening of all workplaces from shopping malls to coffee houses, the visits paid on the Ramadan feast, mass worships, etc. have played a role in this increase.

And, another thing... After the intercity travel ban was lifted, several infected patients have come to our province from İstanbul and other cities. We think that their visits have also led to an increase in the number of cases.

With the increasing mobility in society and the inattention of people to the rules of social distance, masks and personal hygiene, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases.

'It might lead to a retightening of measures'

Elazığ-Bingöl-Dersim Medical Chamber Vice Chair Dr. Eser Ataş: 

It was an expected result, a foreseen process. With the outset of normalization, these numbers will rise in almost every city. Because mobility will increase, it is impossible for the number of cases to stay as it is.

Before June 1, the number of cases dropped significantly in Elazığ. While there were 5-6 patients back then, this number has increased to 40s now. These are unofficial numbers that we have obtained. While 20 of these 40 patients have tested positive and are now treated, the remaining 20 are suspected cases waiting for their test results.

In Bingöl, there were around 18 cases and one fatality. There had long been no cases in Dersim. In fact, it was the only province without cases. Now, we have been informed that there are 8 patients in the city.

With the opening of roads, the ones carrying the virus and infected by it have moved and it is how the number of cases has increased. While it was controlled, the control has got loosened.

I believe that the decision makers also knew that this increase would happen. If the number of cases keeps on increasing after June 15, it might lead to a retightening of measures. It can continue as it is if the number remain at expected levels.

* Photo: June 11, 2020 - Urfa

'Pandemic services are opening again'

Urfa Medical Chamber Chair Dr. Ömer Melik:

Urfa has witnessed an increase in both cases and inpatients. The pandemic services at hospitals were closing. But, with the number of cases on the increase, they have started to open again. Even in the Training and Research Hospital where I work, there are 65 patients. The other hospitals also have more or less this number of patients.

With the outset of normalization process, people get together in large numbers. A couple of days ago, I witnessed a farewell ceremony held for newly recruited soldiers, it was really crowded and there was neither social distance nor use of masks among the crowd.

'People on the streets without masks in Urfa'

People are walking around without wearing masks in Urfa. They sit in restaurants and coffee houses in large groups. When it is said normalization, people get the impression that the pandemic has ended. The way things stand, we will get back to the square one.

When holiday season opens, numbers will increase more rapidly. There are economic concerns, but public health needs to be our reference point. 

It needs to be approached in the long run and long-term solutions need to be developed. Solutions needs to be found by including non-governmental organizations and professional organizations in the process; otherwise, the number of cases will keep increasing.

'Fatalities have increased in Van'

Van Medical Chamber Chair Dr. Özgür Deniz Değer:

We cannot access the exact data, but the number of cases is around 535-540 in Van, there is a 10-15 percent increase in the number of fatalities. Van is not like Diyarbakır now, but we will be like that soon.

People use masks in Van, but they get together in very large numbers. Social distance and masks will not be enough for such crowds. (RT/SD)