Coronavirus in the South Caucasus: A brief comparison

On November 30, Georgia surpassed Armenia in the total number of coronavirus infections. Likewise, the number of daily cases registered in Azerbaijan is the highest in recent weeks since the outbreak of the infection.

On December 1, 843 cases of coronavirus infection were registered in Armenia, 3759 in Georgia and 4426 in Azerbaijan.

The Fact Investigation Platform has prepared brief information on the similarities and differences between the coronavirus statistics of the three countries in the region.

The situation

The total number of coronavirus infections in the three countries of the South Caucasus does not differ much – about 130 thousand infected. According to official statistics, about 2200 people have died of coronavirus in Armenia, 1300 in Georgia, and about 1400 in Azerbaijan. Note that according to official sources the population of Armenia is 3 million, the population of Georgia is 4 million, and that of Azerbaijan is about 10 million.

Thus, the number of infected people per one million population is about 35 thousand in Georgia, about 46 thousand in Armenia, and about 12 thousand in Azerbaijan (the lowest index). The mortality rate is the highest in Armenia, both per one million population and in absolute terms. In Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, respectively 739, 327 and 189 people per one million people have died since the coronavirus outbreak.

As in the rest of the world, the second wave of the infection broke out in the South Caucasus in mid-autumn. During the first wave, the number of infected people in the neighboring countries was significantly less than the number of cases registered in Armenia, while starting from October the dynamics of the infection in the three countries is almost the same.

Brief notes about the situation in Armenia and interesting statistics from neighboring countries

The first case of coronavirus in Armenia was registered on March 1, 2020. The number of registered daily cases in the country increased significantly in May, exceeding 300-400 cases per day. From July to mid-September, the spread of the infection decreased to 200 cases per day. Since the beginning of October, the number of registered daily cases in Armenia reached 2700.

The Fact Investigation Platform recently referred to the coronavirus situation and mortality rates in Armenia.

In contrast to the “stable” development of coronavirus statistics in Armenia, the developments in neighboring Georgia and Azerbaijan are more dramatic. Georgia, which was considered one of the safest countries in the world in the first months of the spread of the infection, and received tourists from around the world in summer, is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of the number of daily cases. Until September 10, only a few dozen cases of coronavirus were registered in the country. In mid-October, that number fluctuated between 100 and 500, and in November, 2,000 to 4,000 cases of infection were registered daily. Thus, in about a month, due to the worsening of the situation, Georgia surpassed Armenia in the absolute number of infected people.

As regards Azerbaijan, until June, the country’s official sources reported 100-250 cases per day. Here the disease “intensified” in July, after which about 100 daily new cases were announced until October. In mid-October, the number of daily cases registered in Azerbaijan exceeded 1,000, and in November, up to 4,000 cases were registered every day.

Nevertheless, Armenia ranks 10th in the world in the number of cases per one million population, Georgia ranks 19th, and Azerbaijan ranks 78th.

As of October 1, only 6640 cases of infection were registered in Georgia, 40,309 in Azerbaijan, and 50,850 in Armenia. In the months of October and November, the number of cases registered in Georgia increased more than 20 times, while in Azerbaijan and Armenia this indicator increased almost three times.

Restrictions and war

The second wave of the coronavirus coincided with the Second Artsakh War, as a result of which the number of cases in both Armenia and Azerbaijan increased significantly, but no restrictions were imposed. According to official data, 658 people died of coronavirus in Armenia during the 44 days of the war, and 281 in Azerbaijan.

Georgia turned to tougher restrictions since November 26. In the next two months, public transport and a number of entertainment venues will not work in Georgia. Kindergartens are closing in the country, and schools are switching to the online system again.

In Azerbaijan, a decision was made to continue education online, at least until the end of the year.

In contrast, in Armenia, schools will switch to the ordinary system from December 7. Almost all the clauses of the “Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Guidelines for Organizing Activities in General Education Institutions” adopted at the beginning of the year will be repealed.

Ani Avetisyan