Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

Scientists of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) of Russia have developed algorithms that can accurately predict the severity of the coronavirus infection, TASS learned from the press service of the FMBA.

“Researchers from Russia's Federal Medical and Biological Agency analyzed a great number of clinical and diagnostic parameters of a sample of over 6,900 patients who had symptoms of varying severity. This allowed them to develop mathematical models of the outcome of the disease based on machine learning algorithms,” the statement reads.

These algorithms confirmed that a number of clinical factors can help predict the severity of the course of the disease with a high degree of accuracy (about 90%). The clinical factors that were taken into account in the analysis were ferritin, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, respiratory rate and others.

The FMBA concluded that the likelihood of death of coronavirus patients increases with age, gender, body mass index and glucose levels.

The bill on contributions to the the state extra-budgetary social security fund of the Republic of Belarus passed the first treading in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on 16 December, BelTA learned from the press service of the lower house of the Belarusian Parliament.

The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives on 8 September 82020 by the Council of Ministers. The document is meant to ensure a comprehensive settlement of the issues regarding the payment of state social insurance contributions to the state extra-budgetary social security fund, to define the legal basis for the payment of compulsory insurance contributions, professional pension insurance contributions and other payments.

“Until now we had a number of regulations in this area, and we needed to systematize them into one comprehensive law. With regard to innovations, it is proposed to use an automated information system to monitor the fulfillment of monetary obligations both by contributors and by the fund in collecting contributions,” said Valery Strelchenok, a member of the Standing Commission on Labor and Social Affairs.

According to him, it is also proposed to introduce a new category of payers - organizations that provided monetary allowances to military servicemen. “We are also formalizing such category of payers as self-employed citizens. Also, persons in occupational therapy rehabilitation centers, or in prison will be regarded as working persons if they perform paid work. The bill determines the procedure to restore pension rights of an individual violated in the course of criminal proceedings. Such cases may include termination of criminal prosecution, an acquittal in court, or unreasonable criminal prosecution and further rehabilitation,” the MP said.

The victory of Shakhtar's volleyball players in the National Cup did not go unnoticed by the Chairman of Minsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Turchin, who sent congratulations to the club on this success.

“Congratulations on your victory in the final of the Cup of the Republic of Belarus in volleyball among men's teams in 2020! For three years, a team from the Minsk region has become the winner of the Cup, which indicates the high skill of the athletes and is the result of the serious work of all club specialists. Shakhtar's victory went down in the history of sports achievements of the Minsk region as a vivid example of skill, perseverance, dedication and strong sports character. I thank everyone who, with their talent and work, brought the team closer to the coveted cup. I am glad that the team's achievements have strengthened the sports image of the Minsk region and brought joy to the fans. I wish the team good health, good luck and new sporting achievements! ”- said Alexander Turchin in his congratulations.

Volunteers of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) invite Belarusians to send New Year and Christmas cards to their dear ones and at the same time to participate in a charity project, BelTA learned from UNICEF in Belarus.

The Good Things Start with Us project will last until 15 January and will take place on the platform https://www.unicef.by/nycard2021/.

On this website anyone can send an electronic or paper postcard of a unique design to their loved ones for a small donation. The money raised will be spent on the Family for Every Child project that helps children with disabilities to return from nursing facilities to their families. In exchange, the participant of the campaign will be able to send New Year and Christmas wishes anywhere in Belarus. The names of the sender and recipient are added to the text of the card, which makes it personalized.

“The COVID-19 pandemic forced many to stay at home and observe voluntary self-isolation. In such a situation, words of support can come in handy. In addition, amidst the holiday bustle, it is sometimes difficult to find time to buy and sign a postcard. Therefore, UNICEF volunteers in Belarus will take care of it this year,” the organizers explained.

Since 2018, the Family for Every Child project has been implemented in Gomel Oblast in partnership with the Let's Help Children Together charity with the financial support of Priorbank, Raiffeisen Leasing and the Government of the Russian Federation. For the first two years, the focus was on families who raise children with disabilities. About 500 parents received information about their rights, available medical services, rehabilitation, social services and educational opportunities. The condition of 51 children in 45 families improved. In four cases, specialists prevented abandonment of children. In 2020, UNICEF continued to work in the region. The technology of case management is being introduced into the work with children and families in vulnerable situations. Another focus is on preventing the institutionalization of small children.

Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei met with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Russia and concurrently to Belarus Abdulrahman Bin Suleiman Al Ahmed to receive the copy of his credentials on 15 December, BelTA has learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The parties discussed the topical issues of bilateral relations in political, trade and economic areas.

The minister and Saudi Arabia's ambassador confirmed their interest in intensifying the cooperation between Belarus and Saudi Arabia, including the exchange of visits of official and business delegations and the preparation of the next meeting of the joint intergovernmental committee.

Vladimir Makei wished the ambassador fruitful work in Belarus.

A meeting of the Sustainable Development Council took place at the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly on 14 December, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper chamber of the parliament.

“The year 2020 is very important not only for Belarus in terms of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but also for the entire international community. This is the year that launches the last decade before the end of the 2030 Agenda,” said Anatoly Isachenko, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic and National Coordinator for the Sustainable Development Goals.

In his opinion, for Belarus this year is also the year of developing new strategic documents and plans for the next programming period, which should also be harmonized with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The members of the Council took stock of Belarus' progress in SDGs achievement, and discussed the preparation of the national sustainable development strategy till 2035, the social and economic development program for 2021-2025, the state sectoral programs, issues of green economy and sustainable development in the context of climate change.

“The success of the implementation of the Agenda 2030 in Belarus will depend on how we plan our next steps for the country's development. The achievement of high living standards, economic growth, development of a full-fledged competitive environment, creation of comfortable conditions for life and development of personal potential, preservation of natural systems for the present and future generations should become our fundamental priorities,” the national coordinator for the SDGs said.

The participants of the meeting stressed the extreme significance of new efforts and the generation of ideas aimed at improving the architecture of sustainable development.

Attending the meeting were representatives of government bodies and organizations, UN agencies, members of the SDG parliamentary and partner groups.

Belarus registered 1,961 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours; 2,542 coronavirus patients recovered, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry.

The nationwide COVID-19 tally has reached 160,295 cases. A total of 138,464 patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered in Belarus.

As many as 1,263 COVID-19 patients have died since the infection's outbreak in Belarus.

Belarus has performed 3,609,517 tests, including 30,856 in the past 24 hours.

Belarus might produce its own coronavirus vaccine, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he talked with the staff of Minsk City Hospital No. 4 named after N.Ye. Savchenko on 14 December, BelTA informs.

The head of state informed that three main coronavirus containment strategies are on the table now: the purchase of a Russian vaccine, the production of vaccines from the Russian strain in Belarus, and the development of Belarus' own vaccine.

“It is possible that we will have to resort to all the three options. We will need to buy a vaccine in order to urgently vaccinate a risk group (these are doctors and nurses first of all). It would be good to start producing a vaccine locally. It is not only about selling it afterwards, but about meeting our own needs. Therefore, all the three options will be used. If our scientists achieve meaningful progress in it, we will start producing our own vaccine,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to him, Russia is ready to give Belarus everything it needs to embark on vaccine production.

“Why don't I rule out the production of our own vaccine? I am sure that this infection [coronavirus] will stay with us forever. Therefore, we will need a vaccine. And not only today or tomorrow, but also the day after tomorrow,” the head of state explained. “If we learn to produce a vaccine on our own and gain experience, we will have good specialists, scientists, good doctors, and thus the healthcare system will improve this way. In general, biotechnology has great prospects,” he emphasized.

Specialists from Vitebsk and scientists from the National Academy of Sciences submitted proposals for the production of the country's own vaccine to the head of state.

The president pointed to a fierce competition for the development and production of vaccines. “What worries me about this vaccine is a fight for money. Billions of dollars are involved, and everyone began to fight for this money. This overshadows the responsibility for the vaccine and for those people who take part in the trials,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

All the above-mentioned options are to be discussed on 17 December at a meeting hosted by the head of state.

The Belarusian air carrier Belavia will resume flights en route Minsk-Tallinn-Minsk as from 1 January 2021, BelTA learned from the press service of the airline.

Belavia will operate three flights a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Belavia pointed out that Estonia has imposed travel restrictions. More information is available on the website belavia.by in the section “Covid-19. Passenger information” – “Government entry/exit requirements by country”.

On 10 December Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in a solemn gathering of the staff of Belarusian National Technical University on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the university, BelTA has learned.

The visit was not in the president's schedule. However, according to the president, everyone would want to be part of the centennial celebration of the country's leading engineering university.

He noted that Belarusian National Technical University was the birthplace of the country's engineering science and creative work. “This event is a tribute not only and not so much to those who established this university, as to those who brought fame to it with their achievements,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

Samples of Belarusian automotive equipment developed by the university's graduates were put on display in the courtyard of the main building of the university. According to the president, Belarusian engineers can work wonders, however, they face a fierce global competition. “Everything that we have seen here is produced in huge amounts in the world. The fact that you have withstood this competition and manufacture products that are on demand in the global market is worth a lot,” the head of state stressed.

He added that he always treated the university's graduates with great respect. “I have always compared the actions of certain students, graduates, and so on: you have always been the pillar and foundation of our statehood,” the Belarusian leader said.

A day before, Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a decree on awarding Belarusian National Technical University with the Order of Labor Glory. The educational institution was honored with the award in recognition of its considerable contribution to the development of engineering education, scientific research in the energy sector, machine-building, construction and architecture, advanced technologies, training of highly qualified specialists and on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the university.

Earlier, on 7 December the president signed a decree to allow awarding organizations and their teams as well as military units with state awards.