There will be no new restrictive measures: Crisis HQ repeats that personal responsibility is primary

The Crisis HQ of the Government of Serbia set up to counter the coronavirus epidemic addressed the public regarding the latest information in our country, when it comes to the situation around Covid 19.

Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncar, Deputy Director of the Batut Institute of Public Health Darija Kisic Tepavcevic and the Director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Goran Stevanovic spoke at the news conference.

"Personal responsibility is primary"

"Personal responsibility is what is primary and for us to act as if we are carriers of the virus. We cannot expect any other measures because everything depends on us. Everyone must take on their role in the fight against this virus. As for a curfew, we did not talk about it, we introduced it when it had a goal, and in the meantime we did not stand idly by," said Kisic Tepavcevic, when asked whether a curfew is expected to be introduced.

Is the virus more aggressive than the one in March and April?

When it comes to such claims, Loncar said that something like that is unprofessional and that only facts and what has been proven are discussed.

"It is one of the medicines, and yes, there are patients who still receive it. Is there anyone who died, and they had been treated with chloroquine? Yes, of course, but no patient in Serbia passed away without being treated," said Stevanovic.

When it comes to treatment with chloroquine, Doctor Stevanovic said that it is only one drug that i in the protocol, and that it is prescribed what can and can't be used when it coms to each drug.

When it comes to the number of infected healthcare workers, Loncar said that although there is a large number of infected people, the healthcare system does not feel it because someone always steps in to replace a colleague.

"We have no new measures"

When it comes to the possibility of introducing new measures, Kisic Tepavcevic says that there are no new measures and that those that have been in force so far should be respected, like wearing masks, keeping a distance and washing hands often.

"Those who are most exposed get sick"

Doctor Darija Kisic Tepavcevic said that those who are most exposed to the virus get sick, and that is the working-age population and younger people.

"Most of them are in intensive care units and hospitals, and in isolation," said Stevanovic.

Doctor Goran Stevanovic said that in this period we have a significantly smaller number of patients from the older age group, and that the population that is most active is that which gets infected the most.

"Our priority are people who have symptoms, tests will be available for everyone else, but currently human life is the most important to us, I understand others, but I ask people to understand that these are the priorities now," said Loncar.

When it comes to the age structure, those getting sick are younger than in the first peak and they are also on ventilators, their treatment lasts longer, the clinical picture is more serious, says Loncar. When it comes to testing, he said that he thinks a lot of people are being tested and that everyone that medical professionals says should be tested will be tested.

Hospital capacities in Belgrade almost full

Minister Zlatibor Loncar has stated that hospital capacities in Belgrade are at the maximum, ie that occupancy in all Covid hospitals in the capital is over 90 percent.

Loncar said that during the day, the Institute of Rheumatology will start working with additional capacities, over 100 beds.

Video: Loncar talks about the situation in Covid hospitals

"Rounds are underway in hospitals, as well as in the Belgrade Arena, so we will see how many patients will be discharged today, so that new ones can be admitted," Loncar said at the press conference.

He recalls that patients from Belgrade are being sent to Smederevo, Pozarevac, Smederevska Palanka and other hospitals, which, he says, we are forced to do in order for everyone to receive adequate care.

"This data speaks for itself as to how serious the situation is and how seriously we should approach it," said Loncar.

Loncar said that 70 healthcare workers got infected and are hospitalized, while 500 of them are in home isolation.

(Telegraf.rs)