Ukraine hits more COVID records

On Aug. 13, for the
first time, more than 1,700 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in a single day
in Ukraine, the Health Ministry reports. There were 1,732 new patients and 19 deaths. The
death toll now stands at 2,011. For the second day in a row, Kharkiv Oblast recorded the
highest number of cases.

In related news, the
number of COVID-related hospitalizations increased 25% in July, the National
Health Service announced on its Facebook page. At the same time, the percentage
of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who need intensive care was 16-19%, though
world-wide, the average is about 25%.

James Hydzik: No
explanation is given for the lower-than-average intensive care rate, and
without further data, it is impossible to make a meaningful assessment of what
factors could be involved. However, the number of hospitalizations can be
expected to increase further as the high figures for new cases over the past
two weeks plots a disheartening trend.