DUSHANBE, 23.04.2020. (NIAT Khovar) – On April 21-22, four patients between 60 to 73 years died of pneumonia in the Medical Center No. 1 of Dushanbe.

“Currently, 114 people are being treated in this hospital. Along with pneumonia, these patients also have diseases such as coronary heart disease, acute renal failure, and diabetes mellitus,” reports the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population.

According to the director of the Medical Center No. 1 Khurshed Rustamzoda, the state of three patients is critical.

The number of people with pneumonia has recently increased, noted the ministry.

In order to prevent coronavirus, the ministry has decided to treat all patients with pneumonia and respiratory diseases in the Medical Center No. 1.

According to the ministry’s data, the number of individuals with respiratory illnesses in 2019 had exceeded 374,000. Those with influenza equaled 9,982 individuals, pneumonia cases reached 12,802, viral respiratory infections 350,702, typhoid effected 8 people, and asthma cases reached 1,293.

“Unfavorable weather conditions in the last few days not only had a negative impact on various sectors of the economy, but also on citizen’s health. Therefore, sudden rise of aggravation of cases of acute respiratory diseases, including pneumonia, has been observed,” said Deputy Health Minister Shodikhon Jamshed at the last meeting of the coronavirus prevention commission.

“Statistics show that the exposure of citizens to infectious diseases, including pneumonia, is a normal and seasonal occurrence. Therefore, citizens should not be alarmed,” added Jamshed.

To date, no coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Tajikistan among quarantined citizens.