Pilav: We have the epidemic under control, five children infected in total in the Sarajevo Canton

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – Aida Pilav, president of the Crisis Staff of the Sarajevo Canton, said that in the Sarajevo Canton there are 106 infected persons, of whom eight have been retested. 16 people are hospitalized, and 2 patients are on ventilators.

"The average age of hospitalized patients is 57.7 years. Two discharges are being prepared because they involve milder clinical pictures. In the last 24 hours, there were no fully recovered patients, and no deaths," Pilav said.

In the Sarajevo Canton, a total of 2,111 samples have been tested. Of the total number tested in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 22% pertains to the Sarajevo Canton. The number of infected persons in the Sarajevo Canton per 10,000 inhabitants is 2.4%.

Pilav said that in the last seven days, 17 mobile teams from Health Centers performed 744 sample collections in home conditions.

"The total number of home isolation orders issued by the Ministry of Health of the Sarajevo Canton is 61, but given that these involve households, 174 persons are covered. The most orders were issued in Novi Grad, which is also the most populous municipality."

Pilav confirmed that during the coronavirus pandemic period in Sarajevo, five children were infected, and one has fully recovered.

"These are children born between 2006 and 2019, with mild clinical pictures, who are being monitored by pediatricians and epidemiologists. During this period, one pregnant woman was also infected, who has a mild clinical picture and is in the process of recovery," Pilav said.

Regarding healthcare workers, eight have tested positive for coronavirus, including seven doctors and one nurse.

"We are satisfied with the results, and thanks to public health measures and the engagement of the Government of the Sarajevo Canton and all ministries, we have achieved these results. We are in full coordination with federal institutions," Pilav said.

She added that the epidemic in the Sarajevo Canton is under control, but preparations are being made for a possible change.

"We have carried out a reorganization within the healthcare system, and in the coming period, as the situation changes, we will advise the competent ministry with such a proposal," said the president of the Crisis Staff of the Sarajevo Canton.

The laboratories conducting testing are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Health, and in Sarajevo, these are the Institute for Microbiology of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, accredited by the WHO, and another laboratory at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

She added that a framework is being prepared to increase testing in combination with serological testing, and that a broader approach is now needed.