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NEWS
GEORGIA TODAY
FEBRUARY 18 - 24, 2022
Corona Updates: Omicron Strain Enters Downward Phase in Georgia THE STATISTICS
Image source: Netgazeti
BY ANA DUMBADZE
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n Georgia, this week was marked with high numbers of newly detected Coronavirus cases and related deaths. However, health officials say that the peak of the Omicron strain has already entered its downward phase. “The Omicron peak in Georgia has passed, but the current week will give a more precise picture,” Deputy Health Minister Tamar Gabunia said on Wednesday. “The number of daily positive cases will likely shrink by the end of the month,” she projected, adding that coronavirus testing is no longer needed following isolation. Amiran Gamkrelidze, Head of the
National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), welcomed the stabilizing situation, but noted that wearing facemasks and vaccination remain as among the most efficient measures of protection against Covid-19. He noted that facemask wearing, both indoors and out, would be compulsory for a long time. “There is a viewpoint that coronavirus may turn into an endemic seasonal infection. We should watch and remain cautious,” he said. In recognition of the stabilizing situation in the country, the Coordination Council ruled that the clubbing industry will be able to resume operations from March 5-6, although only 60% of the maximum capacity will be allowed to enter the venues.
POLITICS
Political News of the Week at Home and Abroad BY TEAM GT
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ossible aggression by Russia toward the sovereign nation of Ukraine has been one of the most actively discussed topics in the panels of global affairs and international relations of late. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have been in the global spotlight in messages of solidarity to prevent a devastating war and maintain peace at the very borders of NATO and the European Union. Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, Irakli Kobakhidze recated to the global issue by noting that while they support Ukraine, Georgia’s response will depend on how events unfold. “The starting point for us is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. These are the principles by which we will be guided. We will observe the events as they unfold and take respective steps,” the GD Chair said, adding that he has no current plans to visit Ukraine. “I am not going to visit Ukraine. We are watching events and depending on how they unfold, we will make a specific decision. We will decide on any step according to the developments, be it a visit or a statement. We have expressed a very loud position in our resolution regarding the current events in Ukraine,” he said. The GD Chairman also noted that all efforts were being made to ensure the security of Georgian citizens in Ukraine. “Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement addressing Georgian citizens in Ukraine. Of course, we will do our best to ensure the safety of our citizens when needed,” he said. “Given the high probability of further escalation in Ukraine, the Embassy of
Georgia in Kyiv and the Georgian consulates in the cities of Odessa and Donetsk (with residence in Kyiv) have switched to an emergency working regime. A hotline has been set up for the citizens of Georgia in Ukraine: +380 (63) 376 77 68; +380 (93) 761 17 17. Georgia’s diplomatic representations keep constant communication with Georgian citizens in Ukraine and urge them to take into account the difficult security situation on the ground.” At the same time, the US and the EU member states have called on their citizens to leave the territory of Ukraine.
THE RUSSIAN MILITARY Russia on Wednesday said military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons. “Units of the Southern Military District, having completed their participation in tactical exercises, are moving to their permanent deployment points,” Moscow’s defense ministry said in a statement. State television showed images of military units crossing a bridge linking the Russia-controlled peninsula to the mainland. It comes a day after Moscow said it was pulling back some of the troops deployed at its neighbor’s borders. However, Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, remain concerned that Russia could still launch an attack on Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Russia should withdraw all troops from the Ukrainian border. “We have a rule: do not believe what you hear, believe what you see. When we see that Russia is withdrawing its forces, we will believe in de-escalation,” he said. Continued on page 4
Georgia reported 4,028 coronavirus cases, 22,517 recoveries, and 21 deaths on Monday. However, the NCDC’s Amiran Gamkrelidze that afternoon announced the number of coronavirus cases confirmed on Monday, which was displayed on the website, did not reflect the reality. “The shown infection figure does not reflect the real situation as we have a high positive rate, somewhere around 40%. The portal was being updated over the weekend and there was some technical work and not all data could be uploaded to the portal. We cannot judge by today’s numbers. Tomorrow the data will be updated, which includes both Sunday and Monday’s cases,” he said. Georgia reported 19,049 coronavirus cases, 18,409 recoveries, and 51 deaths on Tuesday. Georgian capital Tbilisi recorded the highest number of 8972 Covid-19 cases, followed by the Imereti region with 2854 cases, and the Adjara region with 1317 cases.
Georgia reported 15,315 coronavirus cases, 10,894 recoveries, and 55 deaths on Wednesday. Tbilisi recorded 7055 cases, followed by Adjara with 2960 cases and Imereti with 2233 cases. Georgia reported 15,644 coronavirus cases, 24,110 recoveries, and 46 deaths on Thursday. Tbilisi recorded the highest at 7574 cases within 24 hours, followed by the Imereti region with 2342 cases, and the Adjara region with 1109 cases. The daily test-positivity rate now stands at 29.57%, down from 32.01% in the past 14 days. Georgia’s total case tally reached 1,511,800, among which 1,324,172 people recovered and 15,729 died. As of 17 February, 2,787,627 people had received a Covid-19 vaccine.
THE CASES WORLDWIDE The World Health Organization says just over 16 million new Covid-19 infections were reported globally last week, dropping by 19% week-on-week, while recorded deaths remain stable at around
75,000 deaths last week. The organization noted that all other coronavirus variants, including Alpha, Beta and Delta, continue to decline globally as Omicron crowds them out. WHO said the BA.2 version of Omicron appears to be “steadily increasing” with its prevalence having risen in South Africa, Denmark, the UK and other countries, Al Jazeera reported. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the acute phase of the pandemic could end by the middle of the year if about 70% of the world gets vaccinated.
HONG KONG Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday there were no plans for a citywide lockdown in the global financial hub but "surrendering to the virus" was not an option, as authorities battle a surge of Covid-19 infections.
RUSSIA The highest number of new cases was seen in Russia this week. Cases there and elsewhere in Eastern Europe doubled, driven by a surge of the hugely infectious Omicron variant.
EUROPE In Europe, coronavirus case numbers slightly dropped in Germany, and the government plans to loosen restrictions.
THE US Washington D.C. will no longer require people to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to enter businesses.
Head of “Green Diamond Project” Jihad Chakir on Earthquake Safety INTERVIEW BY MARIAM MTIVLISHVILI
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few days ago a 6.2 (ML) earthquake hit Georgia. Strong tremors were felt countrywide, causing fear among the population. GEORGIA TODAY talked to Jihad Chakir, head of the largest construction companies Green Diamond Project and Macro Construction, about how safe their resi-
dents are in their homes, how well the construction companies comply with the regulations when they are constructing new estates, and whether our citizens have a reason to fear this and other safety details. “The buildings of "Green Diamond" are constructed entirely in accordance with seismic regulations and are designed for earthquakes of magnitude 8 (ML),” Chakir tells us. “Compliance with all the conditions provided by the regulations is ensured in line with the applicable laws.
Even before starting construction, a geophysical survey is conducted on the entire construction site at the design phase, and within the boundaries of each building block, a seismic and specific resistance measurement is made, and only then the project is begun. The second phase of the "Green Diamond" residential complex has already been completed and more than 600 families already live there. Protection is among the main priorities of our company,” he says.
TELL US WHAT TECHNICAL DETAILS ENSURE THE SEISMIC RESISTANCE OF THE BUILDINGS. High strength concrete of C 30 category is used at the foundations and on all floors. A reinforced concrete carcass system is used in the project. All vertical bearing elements in residential buildings are constructed with reinforced concrete, and walls are also reinforced concrete, designed following the conditions of “Systems for which all earthquake impacts are carried by reinforced concrete walls.” Building foundations are arranged as massive raft foundations, meaning the full concrete foundation is reinforced. A tunnel formwork construction method is used in taller buildings and others are constructed using the monolith system. In the Green Diamond Project, buildings are designed completely in compliance with the earthquake regulations. All conditions required by the regulation are provided for. Geophysical studies under each block and resistivity measurements and seismic breaking measurements are done in the whole area. In the Green Diamond Project, roofs, floors, walls and ceilings are insulated. Furthermore, earth sand lightening rods are installed.
