Kon: Empty explanation that it's impossible to control Covid passes, Delta Plus is probably among us

Epidemiologist and member of the Crisis HQ Dr. Predrag Kon has stated that the explanation that it's impossible to control Covid passes around the clock is empty, as well as that the Delta Plus strain of coronavirus is probably already among us.

"I myself said at the meeting of the HQ, directly, that it is empty, that no one can accept it. But I was told that we cannot introduce 24 hour Covid passes because we simply do not have the ability to perform the control. Well controllers don’t have to be there all the time, but it must be known that they can always come in and that you can be punished. And the goal is to do it that way. But we from the medical part of the Crisis HQ cannot do otherwise. Some other idea does not exist."

As Kon further told Kurir, in October there had been as many as 200,760 new cases.

"This is a prolonged wave, the epidemiological situation is catastrophic and it's incredible that there is no response from the entire community in terms of understanding personal responsibility that everyone should help and get vaccinated."

Speaking about the Delta Plus strain of coronavirus, he said it is probably here, but that it has not shown its full potential.

"It is very likely among us, but has not shown its potential. The catastrophe in Croatia and the whole of Europe is attributed to Delta Plus, although there is no evidence, as well as to the beginning of the season. We cannot remain outside the whole world. At the moment, in a catastrophic situation, we still have an expected decline. But we don't have time because Delta Plus will definitely arrive or manifest itself if it is already here. Restrictive measures are not being accepted, and I do not accept that they can't be introduced, because it's important to lower the activity of the virus. And you need as extensive vaccination as possible, as primary prevention."

The epidemiologist also stressed that it is very difficult to predict what the situation will look like in a few months.

"It's very difficult to predict, but the virus will certainly circulate. Whether it will be a million or less, I cannot say, because a lot of people have already been infected and acquired some immunity, and we have vaccinated a significant percentage of the population. And because of that, only two weeks in advance can be estimated relatively reliably. I think that we will have some effect from the Covid passes that are valid from 8 pm, although they are not valid 24 hours, but also because of the short school break," Kon explained and added:

"The only thing we can say is the forecast for the next two weeks. Nothing more than that. We can expect a slight decline in the next two weeks, which is still a catastrophically high number. If everything that the medical part of the HQ asked for had been carried out, it would not be like this."

Kon: "The pandemic will continue into next year"

Kon also explained that he had sent a request on October 10 to the prime minister, the Ministry of Health and the Batut Institute, asking them to announce how many deceased people were vaccinated and how many were not.

"There is one more thing - here it is expected that the answer will be given when you push a button as if we are the most developed country in the world. Even so, this data has been awaited for too long."

"I am under the impression that, if I were to walk from one to the other, I would give an answer to that question within three days, at least in one sample. On the other hand, daily data is obtained during hospitalization on how many people have been vaccinated and with which vaccine."

Speaking about whether the end of the pandemic is in sight, he stressed that it will continue during next year.

"What will happen after that and when it will subside - I don't know. The virus has survived on the planet and we will hardly get rid of it. We must get vaccinated, whoever doesn't understand that, endangers the entire public health. The only way to continue immunization is to talk persistently and continuously about vaccination."

As for the number of deaths from coronavirus, he said that the 69 deaths in one day was the registered number and what the state announces at the very moment of the event.

"Subsequent analyses by examining mortality, literally by month, determine the so-called excess mortality compared to the ten-year average and this is attributed to the epidemic. Everyone is there, those who died directly and indirectly from Covid. And those are two methods and you can't mix apples and oranges and confuse people. When it comes to excess mortality, there is no doubt that we will have a difficult year because a hugeportion of the capacity of healthcare is used for Covid patients, so patients with conditions not related to Covid face waiting or give up on treatment themselves out of fear of getting infected, and therefore some also die."

He explained that he will not give up on his lockdown proposal until the number of new cases drops.

"What's the alternative? Who devalues whom? Is it the one who tries and helps, are they responsible if no one comes to help? Therefore, I will not devalue myself or the medical part of the Crisis HQ. It can only be the other way around."

"Licenses should not be revoked easily"

Concerning the start of procedure by the Medical Chamber of Serbia against the doctors who prescribed Ivermectin, Dr. Kon said that he was not in favor of drastic punishment and permanent revoking of licenses.

"I asked Professor Pelemis about Ivermectin and the team that deals with the treatment of Covid and the protocol did not introduce it, because it is not registered for treatment in human medicine, and there is no evidence of its effectiveness. The most important thing is that legal obligations and norms cannot be overlooked, and that is that the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (ALIMS) must issue a permit for something to be a medicine.

That is why I say that licenses should not be revoked so easily, immediately. But a serious warning that it cannot be done just like that is necessary. Either you will temporarily revoke the license for a short time or something else that is according to the procedure. The Chamber must decide and have a good reason to do so."

(Telegraf.rs)