Pehar: The principle of voluntary testing will never be introduced

(Patria) - Member of the Federal Civil Protection Headquarters and Director of the Institute for Public Health Davor Pehar emphasized that the latest statistical data indicate that in the past 24 hours, 543 people were tested, of whom 22 are positive for COVID-19.

"As of today, a total of 7,174 samples have been tested in the Federation of BiH, and COVID has been confirmed in 634 people. The gender distribution indicates that we register slightly more cases in women. The situation by canton is as follows: HNK 205 positive cases, TK 82, ZHNK 69, KS 78, ZDK 71, USK 57, SBK, Livno and Posavina cantons have a more favorable epidemiological situation with less than 50 affected individuals," said Pehar.

Regarding hospital treatment in the Federation of BiH, we have 74 hospitalized patients.

"Of that number, eight patients are on ventilators, on invasive oxygen therapy. We have also recorded 55 recoveries; we do not count them in the statistics of positive coronavirus cases. Regarding deaths, out of 25 deaths, 14 are men and 11 are women. It is noteworthy that 64 percent of the deceased are in the age group over 65, which is why we once again emphasize the need to comply with the provisions issued by the Federal Headquarters," said Pehar.

Speaking about the start of mass testing of citizens, Pehar said that it follows the strategy they announced through the crisis plan.

"In the initial phase of this epidemic, we tested so-called cases according to the definition, which were people who came to the Federation of BiH from epidemiologically endangered areas and people who were in direct contact with such individuals. Later, the testing plan was expanded. Wishing to protect our institutions and institutions for the protection of elderly citizens, we planned more testing for healthcare workers, staff providing care services and looking after the elderly, then patients in hospitals, and in this way, we expanded the indications for testing itself. Testing at will will never be possible," said Pehar.

He added that the numbers vary in the region, so in SBK we have 13 positive cases, and in HNK, in the municipality of Čitluk alone, there are over 70 positive cases.

"In conclusion, those who will be tested will be exclusively under the jurisdiction of doctors. There will be no principle of voluntary testing, as it does not exist anywhere in the world," said Pehar.

Tests are now being conducted by three clinical centers: Tuzla, Mostar, and Sarajevo.

"Tests were procured by the Government of the Federation of BiH, and nothing is being paid for. The price for an individual test is not determined, as it is part of regular duties," said Pehar.