Djerlek: New strain of coronavirus is probably already in Serbia, it is one of the most contagious

Photo: Tanjug/Rade Prelic

State Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Mirsad Djerlek says there is no confirmation yet, but he thinks that a new strain of coronavirus has appeared in Serbia, given the increased number of infected people, and that its detection is expected.

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He says that there is no need to panic and that he is encouraged by the milder clinical picture of the new strain of the virus, writes RTS.

Mirsad Djerlek told RTS that he believes that a new strain of coronavirus has appeared in our country as well, but that its detection, i.e. registration, is yet expected.

"My personal opinion is that it is here, but that we (still) expect detection or registration. I think it's a matter of days, given that it has already reached Romania and there are first cases there. All these situations, holidays, migrations of our people from Europe, who came to celebrate New Year's and Christmas holidays, influenced the worsening of the epidemiological situation," stressed Djerlek.

He indicated that in December, there were around 500 new cases per day, and that now that number is more than 1,000. However, he said that there is no need to panic.

"This is one of the most contagious strains, so say the scientists, who are much more experienced and have more knowledge than I do in this regard. We don't have confirmation yet, but it probably exists, given the number of newly infected people," the state secretary assessed.

He added that he is encouraged by the milder clinical picture of the new strain, but is also concerned that we are still not behaving more responsibly towards older patients with comorbidities.

(Telegraf.rs)