10:53, 29 March 2020

KBR volunteers help elderly people in self-isolation

A volunteer buys foodstuffs at the shop. Kabardino-Balkaria, March 2020. Photo by Zalina Kushkhova for the "Caucasian Knot"

82 volunteers are bring foodstuffs and medicines, and help in paying utility bills to older residents of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), who have to stay at home because of coronavirus infection threat.

As of March 27, a total of 29 people were hospitalized in the KBR with fever and ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection) symptoms. Local residents have no opportunity to undergo a test for coronavirus on their own initiative.

The KBR's regional branch of the All-Russian Public Movement "Medical Volunteers" together with the "All-Russian Popular Front" has set up an office for helping elderly people.

"Since coronavirus is most dangerous for elderly people and those with weakened immunity, we find it necessary not only to help them with our physical labour, but also to provide moral support," Zalina Kushkhova, the head of the local branch of "Medical Volunteers", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Bela, a 65-year-old KBR resident, said she "fears to contact anyone."

A 77-year-old Sonya relies on her neighbours in buying foodstuffs. She has noted that, if necessary, she will definitely use volunteers' help.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 28, 2020 at 04:12 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Lyudmila Maratova

Source: CK correspondent