Only 51 active COVID-19 patients are currently being treated at the hospitals in Azerbaijan amidst the significant decrease in daily infection cases.
According to data compiled by the Operative Headquarters under the country’s Cabinet of Ministers, 11 new coronavirus infection cases were recorded in Azerbaijan on Thursday.
A total of 792,599 people have been confirmed to contract the virus since the first case was registered in early 2020, while the deaths from the disease stand at 9,709. More than 6.8 million COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the country.
Meanwhile, the state-sponsored vaccination against the novel coronavirus in Azerbaijan continues.
Over 13.6 million vaccines against COVID-19 have been administered in Azerbaijan since mass vaccination started in January 2021. More than 4.8 million people have received two doses, while more than 3.2 million got a third or more. Those getting a “booster dose” after positive COVID-19 test results are over 240,000.
Azerbaijan’s health authorities have so far authorized Chinese CoronaVac, German-American Pfizer BioNTech, Russian Sputnik V, and British-Swedish Vaxzevria (formerly AstraZeneca). At the same time, the Turkish TurkoVac vaccine is being tested in the country through voluntary clinical trials.
CoronaVac accounts for the largest number of vaccines used against COVID-19 in Azerbaijan, with more than 12 million jabs having already been brought to the country in separate deliveries.
The ongoing voluntary and state-sponsored vaccination in Azerbaijan is scheduled for 2021-2022. Those who received two shots of a vaccine are eligible to receive a “vaccination certificate.” At the same time, those who have contracted the virus and fought it off can obtain an “immune certificate.”
Starting on February 15, 2022, the vaccination certificate is considered valid for six months after the second-dose completion. Earlier, the certificates were issued permanently.
Meanwhile, the decrease in daily COVID-19 infection cases encouraged the country’s authorities to ease pandemic restrictions. Starting on May 1, 2022, the government abolished the mandatory requirement for wearing medical masks in all indoor areas. Since April 15, a negative PCR test result is also not required for traveling to Azerbaijan. Visitors from 87 countries are currently allowed to enter the country via air. However, the country’s land borders remain close to both incoming and outgoing trips.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States has recently ranked Azerbaijan as one of the safest countries for traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.