A COVID-19 Case Identified at the ‘Zorak’ Mental Health Center

The residents of the ‘Zorak’ mental health center have been isolated, with 20 individuals set to be tested for the novel coronavirus today. Additionally, 10 sanitary workers from X medical center, who had been in contact with the infected individual from Zorak, will also be tested. The circumstances surrounding the infection of the individual remain unclear, as they were transferred to a hospital for one day prior to confirmation. It is also unknown whether the new outbreak originated within the facility itself or if the risk brought by the infected individual from Zorak can be neutralized.

This was reported by Yerevan.Today. The spokesperson for the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs clarified that on May 23, the condition of a 23-year-old female resident significantly deteriorated, indicating a worsening of her primary illness. She was transferred to one of the medical centers in Yerevan, where she was tested after one day, and the result came back positive. Following the confirmation of the infection, all other residents who had been in contact with the infected individual, as well as the 10 sanitary workers, were immediately isolated. All other residents are also being isolated.

After receiving the test results, it will be determined how to proceed with the care and treatment of the infected residents, and under what conditions this will be organized. It is worth noting that yesterday, nearly two dozen cases of novel coronavirus infection were confirmed at another facility under the same ministry. At the Marie Izmirlian Orphanage, out of 15 confirmed cases, 6 were staff members and 9 were children.

As in the ‘Zorak’ mental health care center, the Marie Izmirlian Orphanage exclusively houses vulnerable groups. The former accommodates adults with mental health issues, while the latter includes children with disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, as well as children who are bedridden, indicating that the coronavirus poses a serious threat to the lives of these individuals.