The specialists on April 22 processed 696 samples and confirmed 164 new cases of infection with the novel coronavirus. Five of the infections were imported – one from Poland and the rest from Russia. The others are local transmission cases, IPN quoted Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Viorica Dumbrăveanu as saying after the meeting of the Single Command Center that manages the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister noted that most of the new cases were recorded in the municipality of Chisinau. It is not a hotbed, but the infection of the population. In this connection, the citizens are urged to strictly obey the imposed measures.

Also, 17 of the cases confirmed today were registered in the Transnistrian region, while 16 in Ștefan Vodă district. Massive testing takes place in these regions, including of the medical personnel, following the institution of quarantine. The hospital in Ștefan Vodă is to resume work the next few days. Thirteen new cases of infection were confirmed in Edineț, at the placement center for persons with mental disabilities.

Viorica Dumbrăveanu said a large number of tests will be performed the next two days, especially in the areas where there are hotbeds.

President Igor Dodon said the authorities are working on a program that will specify the stages of overcoming the crisis and of resuming some of the suspended activities. The first activities will be restarted on April 27 and later, on May 15, June 1, etc. if the epidemiological situation permits. This is not relaxation, but return to normality in some of the sectors. If the number of infections grows, restrictions will be imposed again.

The state of emergency in Moldova was declared for the period between March 17 and May 15. The infections with COVID-19 in Moldova now number 2,778, with the death toll from the virus standing at 75.

As many as 560 patients confirmed with COVID-19 recovered.