Dr. Petlichkovski: For now, there is no need for new restrictive measures

Dr. Aleksandar Petlichkovski, Chairman of the Commission for Infectious Diseases / Photo: Free Press

With the current covid-situation, there is no need for new restrictive measures, the latest recommendations for mandatory wearing of masks in hospitals, pharmacies, public transport and nursing homes are sufficient for now, said the president of the Commission for Infectious Diseases, Aleksandar Petlichkovski.

In tonight's guest appearance on the "Hot Seat" show on Channel 5, he decided that according to the current situation with around 170 hospitalized with Covid-19 in hospitals, 20 of them in the Infectious Disease Clinic and none with a severe clinical picture, the restrictive measures should be keep for when they are needed.

However, since, as he pointed out, the virus surprises and returns with new versions, serious consideration will be given to opening the issue of autumn planning.

- The virus surprised us with the appearance of a new version that spreads even more easily and has a fairly effective way of avoiding already acquired immunity. At the moment, the situation in Australia is the most serious, because autumn has arrived there, and in this wave, together with the omicron, the flu also appears. The situation is complex and there is quite a lot of pressure on the institutions, and that is why we think that we should open the issue of planning our autumn a little more seriously, first of all because of the flu and insufficient vaccination, which might be a problem for us in the fall, said Petlichkovski.

He did not rule out the possibility of returning masks to schools, if the need arises.

According to him, it seems that we are approaching the peak of this covid-wave which will last for several weeks.

- After that, the number of infected people is expected to decrease. We will also see the numbers from this week, but it seems that we are reaching the ceiling, explained Petlichkovski.

Regarding collective immunity, he said that we have achieved a solid level, as in the whole world. But he said that this does not mean a guarantee of non-infection.

- Some have been infected several times, 50 percent of the population has been vaccinated. People with hybrid-combined immunity are the most protected from new infections and a severe course of the disease, and therefore there is no great pressure on health institutions, informs Petlichkovski

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