Crisis HQ: Alarming rise of new coronavirus cases in Serbia, measures to be tightened in hotspots

Members of the Crisis HQ for the fight against coronavirus met at 11 am in the Palace of Serbia and decided to tighten control over implementation of measures in those cities where the number of cases is growing, but also limit opening hours of all establishments to 11 pm regardless of whether or not they have outdoor seating.

Only one topic was on the agenda - analysis of the current epidemiological situation.

Professor Dr. Darija Kisic Tepavcevic, Deputy Director of the Batut Institute of Public Health of Serbia, said after the session that now is the key moment for everyone to do our best to be responsible and conscientious, and respect all measures that have been introduced.

She stressed that the largest number of cases is still in Belgrade.

"We discussed the current epidemiological situation. We have seen a slight increase in coronavirus cases in the previous period. We are still good generally, but compared to the previous week, the situation is worse. This week, the risk of contracting the disease is 19 percent higher than the previous week, so it is an alarming situation for us," Darija Kisic Tepavcevic said after the session.

She mentioned that the number of people allowed indoors at the same time is still limited to 30, adding that a new measure has been adopted allowing all establishments to stay open only until 11 pm.

"Regardless of whether they have a garden or not," she said.

She added that the possibility of closing Belgrade was not considered, but that control of compliance with the measures would be tightened.

"The control of the application of measures must be tightened in those cities where the number is increasing, both the control and the sanctions," Professor Dr. Kisic Tepavcevic was explicit.

Yesterday, there was almost a triple increase in newly infected people in Serbia compared to Monday. The virus was confirmed in 120 people in 24 hours. Most cases were once again in Belgrade, 57, or 47 percent, which is half of all new cases in one day.

In Serbia, 1,166,882 people have been tested for coronavirus so far, while the virus has been confirmed in 34,072. It has taken 757 lives.

Yesterday marked exactly seven months since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Serbia on March 6.

Compared to other countries in the region, but also elsewhere in Europe, the situation is the best in Serbia, but professionals and the health authorities urge caution, because that can change at any moment.

(Telegraf.rs)