KB Zenica: 45 people in isolation after contact with infected patient

ZENICA, (Patria) - After it was confirmed yesterday that one of the patients admitted to the Cantonal Hospital in Zenica has the coronavirus, linked to a stay in Tuzla at the Heart Centre (Medical Institute Bayer), the ZDK Crisis Staff held a press conference today.

Adnan Jupić, Minister of Health of ZDK and President of the ZDK Crisis Staff, said that this situation could have been expected. Testing will be increased, and the alert level has been raised.

"We ask people not to lie to us, to adhere to the measures, and to trust us. The healthcare system is still stable, we have managed to stabilize the situation, and we are ready to provide healthcare to every citizen," said Jupić.

Rasim Skomorac, Director of the Cantonal Hospital Zenica, said that due to the virus entering the hospital, 45 employees of this institution who were in contact with the infected patient have been placed in isolation.

"This is a scenario we could have expected. It concerns a patient who came from Tuzla; we admitted him to the hospital due to his deteriorating condition, and we were unaware of any infection in Tuzla. After learning about it, we reorganized, isolated all patients, and identified staff who had been in contact. We have isolated patients within the internal medicine department, and they will be monitored and tested as needed. All patients who were at risk have been isolated, and we have taken all necessary steps in time and completely resolved the situation. Tests have not been conducted yet, as it is too early; medical professionals advise against testing before five or six days, and everyone who was in contact will be tested as per medical guidelines," said Skomorac.

Senad Huseinagić, Director of the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica, said that swab testing will be conducted at KCUS until the laboratory in Zenica is operational. Nearly 5,000 people are under supervision in the field.