For the period of martial law, patients with symptoms of COVID-19, influenza or ARVI can remotely apply for a temporary disability for 5 calendar days. This was reminded by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Komersant ukrainskyi
reports
To apply for a sick leave, you need to
- contact a doctor by telephone, Internet telephony or telemedicine;
- the doctor, based on the patient’s request and questioning, will issue a medical certificate of temporary disability for a period of 5 calendar days.
According to the Ministry, the doctor will issue an electronic prescription if necessary. This is possible even if the patient visits a doctor remotely for the first time (except for patients undergoing substitution maintenance therapy).
If the medical certificate of temporary disability needs to be extended for more than 5 calendar days, the patient must come to a personal appointment.
“In case of illness, be sure to seek professional help – in person or remotely!” the agency concluded.
FLiRT coronavirus strain: what is known about it
It is derived from the Omicron variant. Due to specific mutations in the spike protein, the virus binds better to cells and avoids the immune response. This means that FLiRT is more likely to affect weakened immune systems, and even previously vaccinated people can get sick. However, the acquired immunity after vaccination reduces the risk of complications during the disease.
The WHO does not yet provide a specific assessment of the risk of FLiRT, but notes that it needs to be monitored at the country level. Available studies show that current vaccines, including boosters, remain effective in protecting against severe COVID-19, although they cannot completely prevent infection with the new strain.
Symptoms of the FLiRT strain
Symptoms of the new FLiRT strain are similar to other Omicron sub-variants. They include sore throat, cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, fever, and possible loss of taste and smell.
The World Health Organisation has not yet provided a specific assessment of the risks of FLiRT, but notes that it needs to be monitored on a country-by-country basis. Studies show that registered vaccines remain effective in protecting against severe forms of Covid-19, although they cannot completely prevent infection with the new strain.
Dr Taras Zhyravetskyi told Kommersant Ukrainian