ZEYNEP PEHLİVAN

Samsun- Samsun was one of the very high-risk provinces in Turkey, according to the recent statement of the Turkish Health Ministry. The recent abnormal increase in the coronavirus cases, particularly in İlkadım, Atakum, Bafra, Çarşamba, and Canik districts, was drawn attention to Samsun province. In recent days, the number of coronavirus cases caused by mutant variants has increased in the city. The insufficient administrative measures, reopening of the schools, funeral ceremonies, and crowded AKP party congresses held in the region are thought as the reasons for this increase.

Samsun Medical Chamber Chair and Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Funda Furtun is the first female chair of the chamber. We talked to her about the recent increase in coronavirus cases in the city. Turkey’s Health Ministry has issued maps showing the average number of weekly cases for each province since February.

“In the first map, Istanbul, Ankara, and Samsun were placed near on the top in the number of coronavirus cases. The concrete reasons for this situation were discussed a lot at that time. Since the data was not shared very well by both our Health Ministry and our Directorate, we thought the reason may be because of the mutant variants of the virus and then we were able to confirm this information. We can say that there is a cumulative number of coronavirus cases not only in Samsun but generally in the Black Sea Region. As the Black Sea Region was in the very high-risk category on the map, the measures were loosened. But it was early to loosen the measures. At that time, the party congresses were held in the Black Sea Region. After loosening the measures, the mutant variants of the virus spread across Turkey. As we expected more tight measures, the curfew imposed in the region on Saturdays was lifted. The number of the coronavirus cases was already high and after the loosening of the measures, the virus spread across Turkey.”

“We're on the knife's edge of the pandemic”

Funda Furtun told us that if the necessary measures are not taken, the situation could be worsening. “Now, the coronavirus cases are more than 50.000 in Turkey. The number of deaths due to coronavirus has also increased a lot, it is about 300. As Turkish Medical Association and Provincial Medical Chambers, we have no tolerance anymore. We're on the knife's edge of the pandemic. The hospitals work full capacity. We have difficulties finding empty beds for patients. The intensive care units are full. A 15-day total shutdown is needed to reduce the Covid-19 cases and deaths.”