Mesihović for NAP: No reason for panic, citizens urged to follow all announcements

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The situation regarding coronavirus is changing daily, and measures and recommendations are changing in line with the developments. There is no reason for panic, says the new Minister of Health of Sarajevo Canton, Rusmir Mesihović, for Patria.

The media are urged to report responsibly on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and to publish personal prevention measures on all their platforms as much as possible.

“A Crisis Headquarters was formed by the previous minister’s order, which meets daily and is on full alert 24 hours a day. The healthcare institutions in Sarajevo Canton are following all guidelines from the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, and all relevant institutions that set standards for behavior in such situations.

We appeal to citizens to respect and follow all announcements through internet portals and electronic media and to behave accordingly. There is no reason for panic; we have no information that in this part of BiH, in Sarajevo Canton, we have a single positive patient,” Mesihović told Patria.

Recommendations for the population include frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water (at least 20 seconds) or alcohol-based hand sanitizers (min. 69 percent).

It is necessary to maintain a distance of at least one meter between you and other people, especially those who cough and sneeze. When someone coughs or sneezes, they release small droplets that can contain the virus. If you are too close, you can inhale these droplets, including the COVID-19 virus, if the person coughing is infected.

Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands. With contaminated hands, we can transfer the virus to our eyes, nose, and mouth, from where the virus can enter the body and cause illness.

Respiratory hygiene should be observed. This means that when coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow or a disposable tissue – immediately discard the tissue in the trash bin after use and wash your hands. Also, follow the recommendations issued by the competent health institutions and organizations in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, and you have been in China, Italy, South Korea, or Iran in the last 14 days, or have been in close contact with sick individuals who came from these areas in the last 14 days, contact the cantonal public health institute by phone to receive further instructions.