According to the data from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MoHSPP), 39 new officially confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were reported in Tajikistan yesterday, bringing a total number of the officially confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country to 11,971 as of the evening of November 24.

The number of coronavirus-linked deaths remains the same in the country – 86, a MoHSPP says.

43 COVID-19 patients were reportedly discharged after recovery yesterday.  In all, 11,355 (97.4 percent) coronavirus patients have reportedly recovered in the country as of the evening of November 24. 

The COVID-19 pandemic in Tajikistan is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).  The virus was confirmed to have spread to Tajikistan when its index cases, in Dushanbe and Khujand, were confirmed on April 30, 2020.      

The coronavirus COVID-19 is reportedly affecting 218 countries and territories around the world and 2 international conveyances. 

Speaking at the media briefing on COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in particular, noted on November 23 that there is now real hope that vaccines – in combination with other tried and tested public health measures – will help to end the pandemic.

Now the international community must set a new standard for access, he noted.

“The urgency with which vaccines have been developed must be matched by the same urgency to distribute them fairly,” said UN health agency chief.  “Every government rightly wants to do everything it can to protect its people.”

According to him, 187 countries are now participating in the COVAX facility, to collaborate on the procurement and rollout of vaccines, ensuring the best possible prices, volumes and timing for all countries.

“However, only a fundamental change in funding and approach will realize the full promise of the ACT Accelerator.

“US$4.3 billion is needed immediately to support the mass procurement and delivery of vaccines, tests and treatments. A further US $23.8 billion will be needed next year.

“This isn’t charity, it’s the fastest and smartest way to end the pandemic and drive the global economic recovery.”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reportedly estimates that if medical solutions can be made available faster and more widely, it could lead to a cumulative increase in global income of almost US $9 trillion by the end of 2025.