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There are tens of thousands of asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 in Armenia, Prime Minster Nikol Pashinyan told a cabinet meeting on Thursday, adding the coronavirus crisis remains the main issue to be handled at the moment.

Pointing to the high number of new daily coronavirus infections, the premier stated citizens fail to properly abide by the epidemiological rules, which makes the government impose tougher administrative measures.

Armenians are now required to carry a document with them confirming their identity which could be passport, ID or a driver driver's license to ease the process of filing administrative proceedings for violation of safety rules.

If a violator also fails to carry an ID with him/her, two separate administrative proceedings will be instituted, the PM said.

Also, Pashinyan said face mask prices are falling and in the near future it will be possible to obtain a mask at 60 to 70 drams from self-service machines.

Citing the international studies, the PM stated that using face masks, practicing social distancing and disinfecting hands help people protect themselves from the infection by 95% and more.

Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan said, in turn, the number of hospital beds in rehabilitation departments has increased from 200 to 263, adding all are occupied.

Noting that the infections surpass the increasing number of beds, Torosyan stressed that Vedi and Dilijan hospitals, too, have started treating coronavirus patients, while Martuni and Spitak Medical Centers are preparing to admit people with Covid-19 soon.

According to the minister, 444 coronavirus patients are currently in serious condition and 131 others are in critical condition, with 39 patients put on ventilators. He said the resources won’t be enough to provide due care to all patients if the cases surge.