KO SDP BiH Sarajevo: We Demand the Publication of the Exact Number of Tested Persons

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Following the information on the specially created website of the Sarajevo Canton Government about the Covid-19 virus regarding the number of persons in self-isolation in the Sarajevo area, the Health Council of KO SDP BiH Sarajevo demands from the competent authorities to also publish the exact number of persons tested for the presence of the Covid-19 virus in Sarajevo.

Namely, although the website displays the exact number of total infected in BiH and in the Sarajevo Canton, what is concerning is that there is no data on the number of tested for the presence of the virus. The figure of 611 persons in self-isolation should be an alarm for intensifying testing and increasing the number of tested, in order to obtain accurate data on the spread of the virus, instead of keeping citizens and healthcare workers in the dark.

We emphasize that according to strict World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, all suspected cases must be tested.

As SDP BiH has already requested that the number of tested with test results be shown, which has not been done to date, we insist that this information be published, and that this data be published as a permanent parameter on the website of the Sarajevo Canton Government regarding the presence of the Covid-19 virus, and we express hope that other levels of government will follow the example and create websites with data on numbers, taken measures, decisions and instructions for citizens. Also, we demand that the data on the number of tests and sample collection kits available to Bosnia and Herzegovina be published.

The public must receive valid and timely information on the number of tested due to the spread of semi-information that in the Sarajevo area, besides more than 600 patients in self-isolation, only a few dozen citizens have been tested.

The non-publication of accurate and decisive information by valid institutions, along with inadequate notification about the exact number of available respirators, leads to the beginning of the spread of panic, which is unacceptable.

The Health Council of KO SDP BiH Sarajevo once again extends special gratitude to healthcare workers who are true heroes on the "front lines" of defense against the pandemic. We consider it our obligation and the obligation of society to provide them with full moral, material and logistical support, because they are also the most exposed to the threat. For their sake and for all of us, we expect the authorities to accept our suggestion and implement extensive, regular testing of all those threatened and exposed to infection.

This is not a time for divisions and SDP BiH has no intention of engaging in politicking at a time of crisis, but we want to be part of the solution, and for our suggestions to contribute to a more comprehensive fight against the pandemic.