Adherence to numerous measures has yielded results

(Patria) - We must not let go of control over the spread of the coronavirus epidemic and relax measures that are yielding results. This is the conclusion of officials and experts, at a time when the number of infected people in Bosnia and Herzegovina has exceeded one thousand, but this growth is still not explosive enough to endanger the health system.

Empty squares. More cyclists than cars on the boulevards. It is easy to find shade in the parking lots. And of course, thanks to medical workers. 

We must not let go of control over the spread of the coronavirus epidemic and relax measures that are yielding results. This is the conclusion of officials and experts, at a time when the number of infected people in Bosnia and Herzegovina has exceeded one thousand, but this growth is still not explosive enough to endanger the health system.

Adherence to numerous measures has yielded results. There are the fewest active cases in the last ten days. This is vividly illustrated by a graph from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. One of the biggest challenges are individuals positive for coronavirus who do not know where they got infected. Authorities assure that there is no need to fear the so-called wandering virus if we implement personal protection measures. There will be no lifting of bans for at least another two weeks.

"But personal measures, masks, and how we behave in the community will continue throughout the summer, because every epidemic has its epidemiological tail, and it is possible that there will be another spike afterwards, which is not unusual in the post-epidemic period, but it must be well controlled so as not to grow again into an exponential increase," said Alen Šeranić, Minister of Health and Social Protection of Republika Srpska.

We are not an isolated island, warns virologist Šukrija Zvizdić. We also depend on the course of the epidemic in the surrounding area. Gradual easing of measures, according to him, also means that most residents will have to face the virus, which, according to the nature of other viruses, will likely adapt to its host.

"It does not want its host, from whom it takes energy, because it has no energy of its own, to die. This means it is slowly adapting to the host, and the clinical picture is milder. Whether this will be the case for this virus or not is still unknown," said Zvizdić, BHT reports.

Despite the optimistic data we follow daily on the course of the coronavirus epidemic and despite the fact that most citizens adhere to the prescribed measures, which is perhaps shown by the empty parking lot behind me, officials are still cautious at this time of upcoming religious holidays, which can lead to mass gatherings in front of religious buildings, but also in households.

Religious communities have also understood the message. They perform services without mass gatherings of believers. Often, believers who come stay in front of religious buildings in accordance with the prescribed epidemiological protection measures.

Authorities expect such things not to happen again. They will also monitor with great care the potentially larger number of arrivals from abroad. They believe that if they adequately control this challenge as well, they could consider lifting some bans by the end of the month.