President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a telephone conversation on April 6 during which they discussed measures to counteract the spread of the virus. Under discussion was also a possibility of giving Ukraine credit guarantees by the United States to help her stabilize her national economy. Zelenskyy expressed his support for the United States’ efforts to stop the pandemic and offered his condolences to those Americans whose near and dear ones had succumbed to the illness.
“The United States is now in the epicenter of the battle with the pandemic. I share the pain of thousands of Americans who have lost their relatives and sincerely wish a speedy recovery to those who are presently fighting with the illness. I am certain that the United States will successfully cope with the trials. I wish you strong health”, said Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian President thanked the American Government for providing his country with aid to combat the coronavirus infection. “I am thankful to the United States for granting us 1.2 million dollars of assistance for struggle against COVID-19”, said Zelenskyy. As the presidential press service reported, the parties discussed American credit guarantees that Ukraine needs to ensure economic stabilization in addition to financial resources that this country plans to receive from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other foreign partners.
Zelenskyy expressed special gratitude for the United States’ invariable support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as for its consistent policy of sanctions against Russia.
“Good to speak with Zelenskyy today. I thanked him for Ukraine’s assistance in getting Americans home, including more than 200 volunteers”, Mike Pompeo wrote in Twitter after his conversation with the Ukrainian President.
In the meantime, the Ukrainian Ministry for Public Health Care has reported 1 462 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 45 lethal. Twenty-eight persons have recovered. In the last 24 hours, 143 new cases have been registered. Among those who have died of the covonavirus illness, women prevail and the persons over 50 comprise 87 percent. Today, Ukraine ranks 53 among those countries affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ukrainian infection disease doctors say that the highest incidence of COVID-19 cases will happen at the end of April. And then the number of patients with the confirmed diagnosis will begin to decrease. The similar picture can be observed in all countries where the number of patients begin to drop after two months or two and a half months after the first case has been reported.
In order to stop the further spread of the coronavirus infection in the country, the Ukrainian Government has introduced a number of additional restrictions that will be in force until the end of quarantine. Since April 6, it is prohibited to be present in public places without a surgical mask or a respirator; to leave home without a passport or other identification documents; to go out by more than two persons at the same time except for needs of the service or to accompany a child; to be present in public places for children under 14 without adults; to visit educational institutions, parks, squares or recreational areas. Elderly people over 60 must stay at home. They are allowed to go out only to buy food at the nearest shop or medicines at a drugstore.
Newspaper Holos Ukrainy
