July 28, 2020 - Laboratories of the Institute of Public Health completed PCR analysis of 598 samples for the new coronavirus, among which 56 results were COVID-19 positive.
New cases were registered in Podgorica 22, Cetinje 6, Berane 5, Pljevlja 5, Nikšić 3, Kotor 3, Bar 3, Tivat 3, Bijelo Polje 2, Andrijevica 2, Kolašin 1, Danilovgrad 1.
No deaths were reported. The total number of confirmed deaths since the beginning of June is 36. Since the beginning of the first COVID-19 epidemic wave on March 17, 45 patients have died in Montenegro.
Thirty patients recovered from the infection so that the total number of retrieved since June 14 is 524.
The total number of active cases of COVID-19 in Montenegro is currently 2,065. As of March 17, a total of 2,949 patients infected with the new coronavirus have been registered in Montenegro.
At the Clinical Center of Montenegro, 31 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated. "There are 18 patients in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, 11 in the Internal Clinic, one in the Clinic for Orthopedics and Traumatology, and also one in the Center for Vascular Surgery," the Clinical Center of Montenegro announced. In the Internal Clinic, one patient was connected to mechanical and four to non-invasive ventilation.
At the General Hospital in Berane, six patients who are positive for coronavirus have a severe clinical picture and are on continuous oxygen therapy. The Berane hospital, they said, is treating 64 COVID-19 patients.
The fourth contingent of assistance within the EU support to Montenegro in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic has arrived
The fourth contingent of medical equipment was delivered to Montenegro, which contains 86 respirators and over 235,000 pieces of personal protective equipment for the health system's needs, the EU Info Center announced.
The statement added that the donation is part of the European Union (EU) project for emergency support to Montenegro in the fight against COVID-19, worth a total of three million euros, and which is being implemented by the UNDP Office in Montenegro.
"Since the beginning of the project, from April until today, a total of 100 hospital respirators, ten modern X-ray devices, and over 400,000 pieces of personal protective equipment have been delivered," it is stated in the announcement.
The head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Ambassador Aivo Orav, pointed out that the donation arrives at the right time when Montenegro is facing the second wave of the epidemic.
"Respirators will significantly improve the Montenegrin health system's capacities to save the lives of the most endangered patients. However, I sincerely hope that not everyone will be in use," Orav pointed out.
He added that the EU had provided 50m euros in long-term support for health, economic recovery, entrepreneurship, business, and other sectors affected by the crisis.
"We have provided an additional 60 million euros for loans on extremely favorable terms to support the country's economic stability. We also plan to build two new clinics within the Clinical Center of Montenegro, for infectious diseases and dermatology. In "periods when all EU member states are affected by the crisis caused by the pandemic, the scope of our support to Montenegro is a clear proof of the sincerity and strength of our partnership. Montenegro can count on the support of the EU and its citizens, both in good and difficult times," Orav concluded.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro and the head of the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases, Milutin Simović, expressed his belief that this valuable support will be an additional motivation for raising responsibility, unity, and respect for measures for the health of all citizens.
"We have already shown once how to win this challenge. Let's show it again," said Simovic and thanked the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Orava and the UNDP Office to realize this project.
The CCE requests an urgent response from the NCB on the measure of mandatory wearing of the protective mask
The Center for Civic Education (CCE) sent an emergency to the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases (NCB) and the Ministry of Health for urgent clarification of NCB measures. It mainly refers to the general provisions for wearing protective masks, given that NCB deafened to the CCE request sent last week.
CCE urgently requests from the NCT a precise explanation of this measure since NCB influences all organizers of any gathering, especially system institutions, organizers of meetings/events, and TV stations to ensure compliance with these measures when they are hosts. It is expected of public officials to be the ones to take the lead in complying with the rules.
"There are numerous examples of continuing non-compliance with this measure in public space, from its adoption until today. In that context, we emphasize yesterday's and today's plenary session of the Parliament of Montenegro. Most of the MPs present did not respect the prescribed measures and wear protective masks. Does that mean that the same rules do not apply to MPs as to all other citizens of Montenegro? Does parliamentary immunity protect them from viruses? ", reads the statement of the CCE.
They add that at this moment, it is not right for NCB not to answer questions.
"When we have a severe challenge in controlling the pandemic, it is not suitable for NCB not to answer justified questions and to consciously keep some of the essential measures unclear. It encourages selectivity in their application, and all this does not contribute to an effective fight against this virus. Representatives of NCBs often appeal to citizens to consistently follow all measures. By avoiding to be precise, they prevent this and undermine their credibility," the statement concludes.
