Deputy Minister of Education and Science G.Ganbayar informed that due to natural cold weather and the increasing spread of flu and flu-like diseases, school lessons are being transferred to online formats.
In specific, elementary school lessons are being transferred online from today. Lessons for students of middle and high school will be transferred online from December 25. In addition, it was decided to continue the winter break of school from December 28 to January 28.
Citizens need to go to primary hospitals for flu advice
On December 17, the Ulaanbaatar Health Department (UHD) provided information on the spread of flu and flu-like disease and the necessary measures to be taken.
Head of UHD, P.Erkhembulgan said, “According to the data of the 49th week of UHD, out of 109,423 outpatient examinations, 9,326 cases of flu and flu-like diseases were diagnosed. This is 8.5 percent of the total number of examinations. This is an increase compared to the previous week. 58 percent of the patients who were diagnosed with flu and flu-like diseases are children aged zero to four. According to the National Center for Communicable Diseases, the spread of the flu has moved to the orange level in the last week in the capital city and seven provinces.”
Then he continued, “The hospital bed load is continuously increasing. As of today, there are 2,263 beds in the capital city assisting children suffering from flu. Institutions under the capital city have added 1,376 beds, and hospitals under the Ministry of Health and other ministries have added 887 beds. Flu clinics are open at health centers in the districts with extended hours. It is open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Family health centers are open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Children’s ambulance calls increased last week and 50.1 percent of the calls were related to flu.”
P.Erkhembulgan also emphasized that due to the increasing load of hospital beds and slow turnover, people need to go to the primary and district hospitals for consultation and treatment. He said that rushing to the hospital with your baby in your arms increases the risk. Also, UHD recommends wearing a mask regularly when going to public places.
Head of the Department of Respiratory Pathology of the Maternity and Child Hospital B.Ariunkhishig advised on how to prevent flu, especially in children, when the flu and flu-like diseases are active. She said, “The outbreak of flu and flu-like diseases lasts from October to May. In anticipation of this period, everyone, especially children, needs to get the flu vaccine. Children who have been vaccinated are less likely to get sick during the seasonal flu. People are very aware of the protection against infection related to the coronavirus. Even a small child used to think of a mask as a scarf when going out, but now we have calmed down and stopped taking care of infection prevention.”
“People say, my children are at home but they are sick. But it is related to the infection protection of adults themselves. Older people are less likely to get sick. Our immunity is very good. But we are infectious carriers. That’s why children with weak immune systems are often infected with colds and flu at home. Wash your hands thoroughly, rinse your mouth and throat, and change your clothes completely. At home, it is important to perform wet cleaning very well. That means that we can protect our children at home who have weak immunity” she continued.
License plate restrictions to be issued until February 1
Mayor of Ulaanbaatar Kh.Nyambaatar gave information about arrangements for driving cars with even and odd license plates. He said, “Recently, due to the extreme cold air temperature, there is a need to take several measures. The severe cold weather is expected to continue after December 20. Shortly, it is expected to reach -40°C on the ground. According to the order of the Governor of Ulaanbaatar City, it is planned to allow vehicles to drive in an even-odd restriction until February 1. The zone placement is planned to be from the 32nd Circle to the intersection on the north side of the Marshall Bridge, from the intersection of Sonsgolon to the intersection of Officers’ Road.”
In addition, regarding how the kindergarten will operate due to the spread of flu diseases, Mayor Kh.Nyambaatar said, “Ulaanbaatar’s kindergarten activities will be conducted at the discretion of the parents. The kindergarten will work in a normal mode. However, it is a matter of choice of parents.”
