COVID-19 cases set latest daily record in Ukraine

A COVID-19 vaccine is currently being developed in
Ukraine, Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed in an Oct. 22 interview with
four television networks. “We can’t talk about everything because they are
supposed to undergo clinical research. And that’s true, we don’t have the
right. I will say the truth, it is unique. This isn’t pathos or populism. It is
unique because it’s not like others. We have materials, that research was
conducted. Though not on people, but it was conducted nonetheless,” he said,
adding that it has been under development for six months. If another vaccine is
completed earlier, the Ukrainian government will be acquiring it regardless of
the domestic project, he said. At the same time, he called for maximum support
for Ukrainian science. “We have a very simple goal: we want to fully renew all
production and development of vaccines on Ukraine’s territory,” he said.

New infections of the COVID-19 disease caused by the
coronavirus reached a new daily record of 7,157 cases on Oct. 22, the Health
Ministry reported this morning. That’s compared to 7,053 on Oct. 21 and 6,719
on Oct. 20. An estimated 121 people were reported to have died on Oct. 22,
compared to 116 on Oct. 21 and 141 on Oct. 20.

Zenon Zawada: We don’t
expect the daily records being set with COVID-19 infections to affect this
weekend’s local elections, considering Ukrainians have indicated they are not
especially fearful of the disease (according to a recent poll). It’s this
lack of particular concern that is likely feeding the rising cases, however.
And the latest records being set are a threat to Ukraine’s overall stability.

It’s unclear how a competitive COVID vaccine is
being developed in Ukraine, considering the limited finances of state bodies
and even private firms. We can only assume that it’s a private pharmaceutical
firm developing the vaccine, with plans to sell it not only to the government,
but to foreign entities.