Kon: We will have a new record today, we are thinking about tightening Covid measures

"The number of infected people is expected to grow this week and the next. After that, we hope we will be able to flatten the curve," said Dr. Predrag Kon, epidemiologist and member of the Crisis HQ for the fight against coronavirus

The epidemiological situation in Serbia is unfavorable and is getting worse, says epidemiologist and member of the Crisis HQ for the fight against Covid 19, Predrag Kon, and adds that they are considering tightening the protective measures.

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He told TV Pink that the fact there were 341 newly infected people yesterday is not a reflection of the real situation and that the numbers are always lower on Mondays, adding that today there will probably be new record number of new cases.

"The number of infectedpeople is expected to grow this week and next. After that, we hope we will be able to flatten the curve. The number of hospitalizations will also increase. That goes for the whole of Serbia, the most difficult situation is in Belgrade," stated Kon.

Asked whether measures would be tightened, he said that this is being considered and that it is clear that one cannot sit idly by should the number of infected people increase.

He explained that best evidence of the activity of the virus is data from Belgrade, where in one day (October 24) there were 280 positive coronavirus cases, and that was 54 percent of the total number of people who got tested.

Restrictions are necessary

He stressed that there were municipalities during the July peak where as much as 80 percent of those tested were positive.

"We had the July wave and we may have a slightly better situation compared to the rest of Europe. However, an increase in the number of patients is expected and restrictions will be necessary," said Kon.

He said that children are not a source of transmission within families, that cases of severe form of the disease in children are still rare, especially in those up to ten years of age.

Kon added that the number of schools with infected children is increasing, but that these are still individual cases, because the system that has been established in schools works well - mandatory wearing of masks, keeping distance, hand disinfection.

"The virus is mostly transmitted in places for entertainment and that is what we should influence the most. The law will change because it seems that sanctioning is necessary," said the epidemiologist.

No masks only while eating or drinking

He explained that in such places, one infected person can infect many others because the virus is secreted the most during singing. He noted that in a collective where everyone is sitting down and wearing masks and keeping distance the possibility of transmission of the infection is only theoretical.

"Practice has shown that masks are an effective protection and protect up to 99 percent, if everyone wears them. My recommendation for everyone is to put on a mask as soon as they leave their apartment and to take it off only when they eat or drink," stated Kon.

As he said, antigen (fast) tests have also been introduced, where the results are obtained within half an hour to an hour. This will be especially important in nursing homes and hospitals, in order to prevent the spread of the virus within such vulnerable groups.