Ukraine's Health Ministry: Hospitals ready to treat about 34,000 COVID-19 patients

Minister Stepanov briefs on hospitals' readiness for COVID-19 / Photo from UNIAN

Ukraine's Health Ministry says hospitals are ready to treat 34,000 COVID-19 patients.

"In total, there are about 34,000 beds allocated for COVID-19 patients in the country," Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during an online briefing on Sunday, August 16. "We've significantly increased the number of ventilators."

Read alsoUkraine reports hike in heavy COVID-19 cases

According to him, the country has made a big step forward in the healthcare sector's preparedness to handle the epidemic.

There are about 3,700 artificial lung ventilation devices available in Ukraine now, he said.

What is more, hospitals have about 9,500 beds with oxygen supply for COVID-19 patients.

Coronavirus epidemic in Ukraine

• Ukraine reported 1,637 new COVID-19 cases as of the morning of August 16 after it had seen a new record daily high of 1,847 coronavirus cases as of August 15. The total number of confirmed cases in the country as of August 16 was 91,356.
• The country's Health Ministry reported about a sharp increase in the number of patients with a severe course of the coronavirus disease.
• In addition, the ministry called on the regions to get ready for the second wave of COVID-19 in Ukraine.