In Republika Srpska (RS), after the return of citizens from summer vacations, there were cases in which coronavirus infection was confirmed. The delta strain in RS has not been officially confirmed yet. However, epidemiologists think that does not mean that it is not present. At the same time, there are currently 14 suspicious samples in the Center for Genetic Diagnostics “Alea” in Sarajevo, which showed the presence of a mutation characteristic of the delta strain. There is no fear among the citizens yet. The travels are not canceled, although a new wave is expected at the end of August.
Fear of Covid-19 infection is no longer as present as last summer. Many will hardly cancel their vacation, even though the epidemiological situation is deceptively calm, and the risk of infection with a new delta strain is present.
“I traveled, I was at sea, I have no intention of travelinganymore, at least for this year. I’m not afraid.”
“I’m traveling to Greece on August 15th.”
“A lot of people are coming now, they would come tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. But, the Croatian and the Montenegrin coast are also full, as well as charter flights. For instance, when it flights comes to Banja Luka, everything is filled by August 20th. So, in principle, it is a bigger issue to find a place where people would go now than it is the reduced demand. People planned to go on vacation, so let them go, ” told Vanja Savic from a travel agency in Banja Luka.
The authorities are not yet thinking about the possible testing of citizens after returning to the country. Epidemiologists believe that the situation is favorable for now and does not require any major restrictions, but caution is certainly necessary.
“When it comes to travel, travel in general, due to the increased circulation of people and a greater number of contacts, certainly represents a risk. This is not the time to say that we do not recommend travel. Of course, the more favorable epidemiological situation that we had in the previous period should have been used for certain activities that we could not practice before, however, we must always have some caution, ” stated Jelena Djakovic Devic, an epidemiologist.
The delta strain of coronavirus has not yet been confirmed in RS. At the same time, the presence of this strain has been confirmed in every canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH).
“What is important is that we expect it to become completely predominant as a strain in BiH in the next two to three months. The characteristic of the basic delta strain is the formation of a strong connection between ACE2 receptors and viral S receptors, which leads to easier and faster transmission of the virus, ” explained Rijad Konjhodzic from the Center for Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics “Alea” Sarajevo.
“It is spreading equally among the younger and older population. At that moment, it is very important to us that people are vaccinated, that they do not develop a more severe clinical picture, so that in that way we can stop the possibility of its spread, ” said Branislav Zeljkovic, director of the RS Institute of Public Health.
According to epidemiologists, in the fourth wave of infection, which could occur as early as the end of August, it is expected that a new delta strain will prevail in 90% of cases, BHRT writes.
E.Dz.
