Šeranić and Olšavski Discuss Further Spread of Virus, 19 Newly Infected in RS

BANJA LUKA, (Patria) – Alen Šeranić, Minister of Health and Social Protection, said that in the last 24 hours, 209 samples were tested, of which nineteen were positive for Covid 19.

"We have 262 recovered. Of the 19 infected persons, five are hospitalized at the University Clinical Centre of RS. As part of the surveillance of vulnerable categories and in nursing homes, the presence of coronavirus was confirmed in a home in Kneževo. We went looking for the virus, not waiting for it to appear to us. We want to see the occurrence of the virus through those who are most exposed," said Šeranić.

He said that 3,946 people are under health surveillance. A total of 546 people are infected.

At the University Clinical Centre of RS, 131 people are hospitalized, of whom seven are on ventilators. 22 people are hospitalized in other hospitals.

He spoke today with the director of the WHO in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Viktor Olšavski, with whom he discussed the current situation in RS. Olšavski also handed over 5,000 test kits to the Institute of Public Health of RS.

"We are preparing our plan for relaxing measures; just as we gradually introduced measures, we will also work on relaxation. We will focus on the needs of the economy and the protection of people," said Šeranić.

Viktor Olšavski, head of the WHO Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that a flattening of the curve is being observed in BiH, meaning that the introduced measures are effective and that we have not faced a large number of infected that could have endangered the health system.

"We have already started discussing different scenarios. We foresee three scenarios: complete interruption of virus transmission, recurring waves, and the third, continuous human-to-human transmission. We believe it will be the second and third. It is necessary to see how to maintain the immunization rate during a pandemic and how member states can achieve this. Now it is evident how extremely important vaccination is, and the whole world is now expecting a vaccine against coronavirus," said Olšavski.

Regarding serological testing, the WHO has not yet performed validation, but the evaluation of these tests is ongoing.

"The WHO is still collecting data on which tests would yield the fewest false negative results. A large international trial is underway, monitored by the WHO, observing four candidates for therapy. Currently, there is no specific therapy. The WHO is acting as a coordinator, and certain preclinical studies are already underway. It takes several years to develop a vaccine, and we hope it will succeed within a year," said the head of the WHO in BiH.

Šeranić said that the measure banning gatherings of more than three people and the wearing of protective equipment is in effect.

"What we need to prevent is mass gatherings of people at picnic sites, especially when it comes to celebrating May 1st. When we talk about relaxation, it means restoring certain activities to their functioning and work, but it will be clear epidemiologically how it will further proceed," the minister stated.