Jankovic: Threat of growing number of coronavirus patients, these 2 new measures are considered

"It can last for weeks, the goal is to draw it out, so that there is no steep increase, so that the healthcare system is not under attack," said immunologist Srdja Jankovic, a member of the Crisis HQ for the fight against coronavirus

Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Zestic

Immunologist and member of the Crisis HQ, Srdja Jankovic, says that Serbia is threatened by an exponential growth in the number of people infected with coronavirus, stressing that we must do everything to prevent that from happening.

Jankovic told RTS that any increase in numbers - of those infected, deceased, and patients on ventilators - in a cause for concern.

Hospitality establishments are still full.

"We will consider the measure of introducing PCR testing, as well as adjusting opening hours of these establishments. I cannot say in advance what the decisions of the Crisis HQ will be because they are made collectively. Measures can be tightened, but the essence is that if we do not implement them, tightening them won't help us, either. Unless they are implemented inconsistently, there is no effect. If we had consistently implemented those that were in force during the summer and fall - I would not blame citizens, maybe the minority that does not understand the danger... There is resistance to the measures, that's human and normal. But most of us must understand that there is a responsibility, both of citizens and those who implement the measures," said Dr. Jankovic.

According to him, the virus in this wave has the potential for greater strength.

"It can last for weeks, the goal is to draw it out, so that there is no steep increase, so that the healthcare system is not under attack," Jankovic pointed out.

He added that Serbia is threatened by an exponential growth, stressing that we must do everything to prevent that from happening.

This immunologist from the Children's Clinic in Tirsova Street in Belgrade said that there is already a flexible measure to close a collective temporarily when the spread of coronavirus occurs within it, and whether a wider-reaching measure should be adopted depends on the general risk of transmission.

Photo: Tanjug/AP

"The emphasis is on the need to stop the growth, primarily by controlling gatherings, we can do a lot there. At this moment, we cannot know in advance who is infected," Jankovic stressed.

He pointed out that the adversary, coronavirus, is unpredictable, but that "we also go into it with tactical knowledge of epidemiology."

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(Telegraf.rs)