Director of the Institute for Public Health, Dr Boban Mugoša, points out that 160 coronavirus cases in Montenegro indicate local transmission and infection within population and that the number would be considerably lower if citizens had adhered to the measures. Dr Mugoša and Dr Vesna Miranović pointed out that epidemic supervision had been enhanced in Vrela Ribnička settlement, where the first case of virus was discovered yesterday.
“We managed to keep Montenegro without infection for so long. What happened later resulted in spreading of the infection. Please do not stigmatize the infected people. This isn’t anybody’s fault”, Dr Mugoša said.
The increase in number of infected persons is failure to adhere to the measures.
“Only one funeral in Ulcinj resulted in 40 infected persons. Failure to respect the measure of prohibition of going from one town to the other resulted in cluster we have in one village. Failure to respect the measure referring to ban on going abroad in the time of epidemic resulted in cluster of 30 people, and cluster of 20 people. Failure to adhere to the measure referring to mass gatherings, such as religious gathering in Doljani, resulted in another cluster of infections. Now we have over 100 infections. If all those measures had been respected, we would be talking about 60 infected persons, not 160. Listen up, please. It is my duty to warn you”, Dr Mugoša points out.
We must be afraid of the virus
Dr Mugoša thinks some citizens don’t understand how dangerous the situation is.
“I am angry. I have information that some people made barbecues in Podgorica and Nikšić”, Dr Mugoša warns.
The lowest mortality rate in the region doesn’t mean anything.
“We must be afraid of this virus. We must adhere to the measures”, Dr Mugoša said.
He added that some citizens positive for coronavirus hadn’t shown any symptoms.
Asked about the effectiveness of masks, Dr Mugoša said it was not necessary to wear masks in an open air although it is desirable.
He said that epidemic services will have a very complex situation to deal with in Vrela Ribnička.
Challenging situation
“The situation in Vrela Ribnička is very challenging. We have already taken measures and we will continue to do so”, Dr Mugoša pointed out.
Member of the National Coordination Body, Dr Vesna Miranović, said that NCB had considered the situation in Vrela Ribnička. She said that children of the infected man had contacts with other children.
She said that there were 940 persons in quarantines and that they were expecting another group of Montenegrin nationals to come from Frankfurt.
Speaking about temporary measures and ban on leaving homes, Dr Miranovič said movements until 1 pm on Sunday could be approved as mental health of people was just as important.
