Uzbekistan is preparing for the second wave of coronavirus, the Minister of Health Abdukhakim Khodjiboev said at a meeting with Indian Ambassador Manish Prabhat on Monday, the Ministry of Health said.

The Indian Ambassador reportedly commended the measures taken in Uzbekistan to counter the spread of coronavirus infection, due to which the incidence of the disease has significantly decreased.

However, the minister noted that the stability of the situation should not be taking to get complacent.

“There is an understanding that, according to what many countries are experiencing, the second wave of COVID-19 is inevitable, for which, the country is preparing. He added that, about 40 hospitals out of more than 150 returned to their normal operations, the rest were mothballed so that, if necessary, they could again receive patients with coronavirus,” the ministry noted.

Manish Prabhat also noted that three coronavirus vaccines are under development in India, two of which are in the second and one is in the third phase of clinical trials. The Ambassador noted that in the future, these vaccines could be of use for Uzbeks.

He offered to establish close cooperation on the student exchange program, noting that young people in India are increasingly showing interest in studying at medical universities in Uzbekistan.

As of December 7, 74,206 cases of coronavirus were registered in Uzbekistan. Of this number, 71482 people recovered (97%). There are 2,113 people in medical institutions, of which 179 are in serious condition, while 34 are in critical condition. The death from coronavirus was reported on December 2, bringing, the total number of deaths to 611.

In November, a number of European countries tightened the lockdown measures due to the worsening epidemiological situation with coronavirus.