Doctor Kon's latest warning: We expect problems in these two cities

Data from the Covid database but also that arriving from the field that is somewhat different, clearly shows that this peak of the coronavirus epidemic is calming down, said epidemiologist Doctor Predrag Kon.

He told Prva TV this morning that three things are being monitored.

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"The number of people who report to Covid clinics and centers is monitored, how many of them are examined and how many are suspected having coronavirus. All these numbers match and very slowly in all three cases are decreasing. The most important fact is that more people are discharged than admitted to hospitals, as well as that the number of check-ups is growing, that is, the number of those who have been cured," explained Doctor Kon.

However, he stressed that the situation is still very difficult and that we are not in the clear.

"It's is very important to maintain discipline now, before the weekend. The fact is that the measures are not respected properly in Belgrade, bars are open after 11 pm, some people are not wearing masks. As soon as there is no reaction to non-compliance with the measures, relaxation begins immediately. We no longer have the closure and those measures from the spring, which, I hope, will not happen again. But if, as a society, we do not understand that we must be responsible, we will be in trouble again," he said.

The Crisis HQ is not publishing local data, and IT people should be asked why, said Doctor Kon, who stressed that the Batut Institute has all that data.

"As far as the local level is concerned, due to the gatherings in Presevo and Bujanovac more problems are expected to occur there. Gatherings are amplifiers of this situation, which is unfavorable and insecure. For example, until July 13 in Belgrade, the number of those who reported to Covid clinics was over 900, it was dropping until the 17th, and then on the 18th and 19th it was around 600. Then again, a jump on Monday, because people were waiting for the the weekend to pass to see the doctor. There you see how they behave."

Photo: Tanjug/Nikola Andjic

However, the number of cured people is growing, he repeated.

Regarding comparisons of the epidemiological situation with that in other countries, Doctor Kon said that this is not the right time for that.

"The virus is on the rise here, it is very active. This is not a competition, so you should not compare data with other countries now. This will eventually crystallize and summarize clearly. Many factors influence decision making. The fact is that without collective immunity there is no stopping the epidemic, but then we also have the Swedish model that is unsuccessful. Again, if we are constantly locked up, we will disappear. Without the economy, there is no life, it is not the pressure of politics, but of the economy."

"Furthermore, we cannot allow ourselves not to live and work, but also to take care of every activity. If someone thinks that this is not a problem of (medical) professionals, they don't know what public health is," he added.

The title of the petition "United Against Corona" indicates that we're on the same task

Regarding the petition for the Crisis HQ to be dismissed, which has so far been signed by over 2,000 doctors, Doctor Kon said that he extremely respects the petition and some doctors who supported it, but that he thinks they don't have all the data.

Photo: Tanjug/Tara Radovanovic

"What is most important is that they support epidemiological recommendations. The very title, 'United Against Corona' indicates that we are on the same task. The state of Serbia appointed me as soon as it dismisses me that will not be a problem for me. Professional and moral integrity is required in that petition from the one who should lead the Crisis HQ - but the question is who determines it?"

"There is a united position in the Crisis HQ - we are doing our job and we will continue to do it until the state of Serbia dismisses us from that job, as well as to strongly deny that we have ever presented incorrect data."

Living with a person who is on home treatment or awaiting results

Asked how family members should behave when someone is either waiting for the results or suspects that they are positive, Doctor Kon gave a series of instructions.

Photo: Pexels/Gustavo Fring

"If there are conditions for that person to be isolated, they should stay in a special room. Household members must wear masks when communicating, both the healthy and the sick ones. Frequent disinfection is needed, after washing your hands or using the toilet for another reason it's not a badidea  to ventilate the bathroom, use some disinfectant. It's very important that meals are taken to the door of the sick person and that they eat in the room where they are isolated, while dishes should be washed at high temperatures. This is true for those who are waiting for the result, and those who are treated at home with mild symptoms."

Doctor Kon also commented on media headlines, primarily those saying that Covid destroys the liver, lungs, kidneys, and the brain.

"It is frightening, but it is our reality and we should adapt as soon as possible, protect purselves and wait for the vaccine, which is the only discernible solution so far. Any other means sacrifice. We lack communicators, people whose profession it is to explain how to present all this data and to help people understand that we will surely survive this. We didn't succeed, the entire public health failed to prepare the primary health care, which is usually done. We prepared the population and everything we need when it comes to the flu. But this was happening very quickly, especially when it came to locating contacts."

"A rational model has been introduced in Sweden that a positive person must find their contacts and inform them. But I don't know if such a rational system would work in our country. People told me they were seeing their contacts riding bikes and pretending nothing was happening. Who is responsible then? It can't be the Crisis HQ experts, if the measures exist all the time and you don't respect them. Now, once the situation calms down, will we leave all the bans in place again? Are we going to live like this for the rest of our lives? Certainly not."

"The virus is the enemy. We must protect lives. There will be no retreat. We will come out of this exactly as it is written in that petition - united against coronavirus," he concluded.

(D.D.S.)