In Belarus, 4 schools remain closed for quarantine due to influenza and ARVI

March 24, Minsk / Olga Shvayko - BELTA /. In Belarus, as of March 24, only four schools remain closed for quarantine due to high incidence of influenza and ARVI among students, in Vitebsk and Vitebsk region. This was reported to BELTA correspondent by the chief epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, Inna Karaban. According to her, this year the epidemic of viral diseases has been lasting for the 10th week, while last season it lasted for 5 weeks. Currently, there is a decrease in morbidity in Belarus. Thus, over the past week, more than 67 thousand cases of influenza and ARVI were registered in the republic. This is 25.7% lower compared to the previous week and 29.2% higher than in the same period of 2008. "According to the forecast, anti-epidemic measures for the prevention of influenza and ARVI in the republic will be canceled in the near future," said Inna Karaban. For now, anti-epidemic measures for the prevention of influenza and ARVI continue in 5 cities: Borisov, Soligorsk, Novopolotsk, Vitebsk and Orsha, as well as in 13 districts of the republic. Classes were suspended in 404 general education institutions, and lessons have already resumed in 400 of them. In total, during the period of epidemiological monitoring from October 6, 2008, 1 million 375 thousand 839 people in Belarus fell ill with influenza and ARVI. This is 6.7% higher than in the same period last year. The proportion of sick children for the entire observation period was 60%. Only 1.3% of those who sought medical help were hospitalized, and among those hospitalized, 81.7% were children under 17 years of age. -0-