Kon: Time to aggressively suppress coronavirus, everyone in contact with those infected to be tested

Photo: Tanjug/Sava Radovanovic

Epidemiologist Predrag Kon says everyone who has been in contact with those infected with coronavirus must be tested, as well as those in self-isolation. This allows for an accelerated suppression of the epidemic compared to the earlier method where patients with severe respiratory discomfort were tested, says Kon.

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Professor Kon told RTS that mass testing in the coming days is not the most important thing, but the orientation is that when we have extraordinary measures and reduced contacts, there should be a move from trying to "flatten the curve" and extending the epidemic, to aggressively suppressing it.

That, Kon says, is the essence of everything. One part of this is to detect all the carriers of the virus and to place them in special hospitals.

Everyone who has been in contact with those infected must be tested, as well as those in self-isolation. This job is enormous and enables an accelerated suppression of the epidemic compared to the earlier version where severe respiratory patients were tested.

Talking about how many people that could be, Kon says all lab facilities will be included.

According to him, about 10,000 people are in self-isolation, it's a huge job, and it must be ensured that there is as little potential for infection as possible.

Starting at 5 pm, there is nobody in the streets, parts of health centers have already been organized, work needs to be organized so that people can test themselves, but there will be no collection of tests from people's homes, Kon warned.

"We have a situation where infectologists have transferred some patients to the KBC. All those who have symptoms will be in separate facilities."

"This is the best methodology for saving lives and separating the most capable staff. That's good because of future testing and the timely dismissal from hospital of those who have had two negative tests," Kon concluded.

It was announced at yesterday's press conference that as many as 10 municipalities in Belgrade are hotspots of the virus.

According to data released yesterday at 3 pm, there were 249 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Serbia, while three people have died. New data will be released today at 3 pm.

(Telegraf.rs/RTS)