On 10 August, Georgia reported 5,697 new cases of coronavirus out of 44,536 tests and 54 deaths, bringing the total tally to 450,149 cases and 6,128 deaths.

The country’s Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze stated that the fourth wave of Covid-19 pandemic had hit Georgia “harder than expected.” She noted that the statistics in other countries shows that the Delta strain of Covid-19 is spreading faster and is why the epidemiological situation in the country worsened. She urged for strict and effective enforcement of acting regulations to decrease the spread of new infections. Tikaradze also said that the healthcare sector is managing the current surge and no infected are left unattended. 

The Minister also admitted the vaccination might become mandatory for some segments of society, like the requirements practised in other countries. “At this stage, we are not discussing mandatory vaccination, but there may come a time when vaccination for certain segments, as in other countries as well as ours, might become part of practice. But I am convinced that we can avoid such demands towards the state,” she added.

A day earlier, the Georgian authorities reintroduced the wearing of face masks in public spaces due to the rise of cases (Caucasus Watch reported).