Čerkez: Coronavirus does not discriminate, do not stigmatize the sick and those in isolation

SARAJevo, (Patria) – Goran Čerkez, member of the Crisis Staff of the Federal Ministry of Health, said that 1,652 people have been tested in FBiH, of which 216 are positive, 119 women and 97 men.

During today, there are 34 new positive cases, Čerkez said.

“This is a new, unknown disease and it does not choose who it will affect. It is a disease that we can all get and have consequences. I would like to draw the attention of fellow citizens not to stigmatize those infected and those in self-isolation. If we stigmatize people, many will hesitate to report, or will not adhere to the measures we prescribe. Only by adhering to the measures can we emerge better from this crisis.
We are aware that there will be a larger number of infected people, and the good news is that 80% of infected people have mild symptoms of the disease,” said Čerkez.

He explained that three clinical centers in FBiH have reference laboratories where testing can be freely performed.

He also pointed out the problem of infection among medical staff.

“The loss of medical staff due to infection would significantly weaken the health system,” said Čerkez.

He explained that all measures and orders issued by the Federal Civil Protection Headquarters were aimed at protecting public health, especially the elderly population.

“Every week we observe the success of the measures, monitor the effects, understand people's need to go out, and we know that we have to relax something, but it must be the result of an analysis so that we do not cause any harm,” said Čerkez.

Anis Ajdinović, director of FUZIP, said that inspectors are working intensively at border crossings to ensure that everyone entering BiH is under isolation measures.

“Yesterday, 458 people entered BiH at border crossings in FBiH. Since March 15, 20,516 isolation measure orders of 14 days have been issued. A total of 7,850 people have completed their isolation measures during this period,” said Ajdinović.