KS Crisis Staff: We fear the number of new infections in the next 14 days

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Crisis Staff of the Ministry of Health of Sarajevo Canton expresses concern and fear about what the next 14 days, the incubation period, may bring, following close contacts that occurred during Kurban Bayram in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The fact that younger people and middle-aged population are most often the first to get sick in families, who then transmit the virus to family members, is particularly concerning. According to data from the epidemiological service of the Institute of Public Health of Sarajevo Canton, they often have symptoms - fever, cough, weakness, malaise, take medication to reduce fever, but do not isolate themselves from their household members in a timely manner, and even go to work and have close physical contact.

Due to close physical contacts in the workplace, clusters of infected people within institutions and work organizations have been recorded. This is particularly evident recently, despite the fact that orders stipulate that all legal and natural persons employing more than 20 employees must adopt a crisis plan for preparedness and response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in accordance with the guidelines of the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of BiH and the Institute of Public Health of KS.

Therefore, during the remaining days of Kurban Bayram, we are sending another appeal to the citizens of Sarajevo Canton to avoid large family gatherings, close contacts, especially kissing and hugging, and to wear protective masks and maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters in places of high risk of virus transmission such as: religious rites and religious events, public transport, gatherings in closed spaces, wedding halls, beaches and swimming pools.