‘COVID-19 cases have increased tenfold in İstanbul in 6 weeks’

* Photo: Mezopotamya Agency (MA)

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The İstanbul Medical Chamber held a press statement to inform the public about the latest situation in the city amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking about the issue, Osman Küçükosmanoğlu, the Secretary General of the chamber, said that the pandemic has never been taken under control in Turkey since the first case was officially confirmed on March 11, 2020. He noted that the pandemic had peaked by the end of the year.

Raising concerns about the recent surge in the number of cases and deaths in both İstanbul and across Turkey, Küçükosmanoğlu said:

"The number of cases per 100 thousand people increased to 111 in early March, to 251 in mid-March, to 401 a week later and to 591 last week. This number is above Turkey average, which makes İstanbul the city with the second highest number of cases after Samsun.

"The number of cases has increased tenfold in six weeks. This monthly course shows that the practice of 'gradual normalization' has ended in a fiasco. Our country now ranks first in Europe and fourth in the world when the number of daily cases is considered."

Urgent measures

Taking the floor after Küçükosmanoğlu, İstanbul Medical Chamber Executive Board member Prof. Rukiye Eker Ömeroğlu talked about five measures that need to be taken urgently against the pandemic.

The physician listed the urgent measures in five groups: "Widespread Test/ Fast Vaccination", "Lockdown with Economic-Social Support/ Gradual-Controlled Opening", "Systematic Contact Tracing/ Effective Isolation", "Urgent Expropriation/ Re-socialization" and "Transparent Management/ Human Rights-Based Struggle Against the Pandemic."

Accordingly, Prof. Eker Ömeroğlu noted that "while the number of PCR tests has been increasing, it is still not sufficient."

Underlining the importance of using PCR tests more widespreadly, she indicated that, in addition to PCR, a more systematic contact tracing must be planned by using the tests that give results more quickly.

She indicated that which variants are seen with the tests as well as the clusterings and sources of infection should be shared with the public.

"Free, safe and effective vaccine is not an endowment of the political power holders, but the most natural right of every citizen," she underlined.

The physician also emphasized that "a fair 28-day total lockdown must be introduced in such a way that it is applied to everyone equally and the necessary economic and social supports are provided."

Noting that contact tracing must be done systematically, Prof. Eker Ömeroğlu underlined that "identifying the patients and contacts is not enough," explaining that "ill people and contacts should be quarantined."

Emphasizing that it is not possible to ensure the suitable conditions at home and raising concerns about infections inside the households, she underlined that public dormitories, guesthouses and similar places must be used for purposes of isolation and quarantine.

Touching upon the importance of the reorganization of the health system as well, the physician concluded her remarks by specifically focusing on "Transparent Management/ Human Rights-Based Struggle Against the Pandemic" as the last urgent measure to be taken.

Referring to the failure of the political power holders and Ministry of Interior to share the truths with the public in a transparent manner, Prof. Eker Ömeroğlu stressed that this failure has caused a distrust in society and led to serious problems in their compliance with the measures.

Accordingly, she called on the relevant authorities to share the pandemic data with the society, especially with the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and specialists' associations, adding that all institutions related to the struggle against the pandemic should be included in the process. (EMK/SD)