Health Minister Viktor Lyashko announced at a briefing
on Dec. 6 that the current wave of COVID-19 is receding in Ukraine. Lyashko
stated that new cases were down 15% over the past week, and that
hospitalizations had dropped 13%, pravda.com.ua reported. However, he also
noted that the epidemic continues, and he urged Ukrainians who had not been
vaccinated yet to do so.
Also, Minister of the Cabinet Oleh Nemchinov announced
via Facebook that the City of Kyiv and eight oblasts had been dropped from the
Red quarantine level to Yellow. However, restrictions for the unvaccinated in
the Yellow zone were tightened as well. Proof of at least one COVID vaccination
or a recent recovery from COVID-19 would be needed to go into gyms or catering
establishments.
James Hydzik: As the current wave recedes, health officials will be waiting for more
details on the omicron variant of the virus. The wave this autumn did much to
change minds regarding vaccination, though less than 40% of the population is
now vaccinated. If the virus and humans keep their typical patterns, then
another wave starting at the end of the holidays in January can be expected.