August 17, 2020 - Since the last section, the Institute of Public Health has completed PCR analysis of 301 samples for the new coronavirus, among which 50 newly positive COVID-19 cases were detected. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in Montenegro is currently 1,019.
Most new cases of COVID-19 were registered in Podgorica (16) and Bijelo Polje (13). Other new coronavirus cases come from Niksic 7, Budva 6, Pljevlja 4, Bar 2, Cetinje 1, Kolasin 1.
Three new deaths have been reported to the Institute in patients from Nikšić, born in 1941, 1929 and 1955, all treated at the General Hospital in Nikšić. The total number of deaths related to COVID-19 since the beginning of June is 71. Since the beginning of the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, 80.
In the last 24 hours, recovery of 76 patients was reported. Since the beginning of the year, the number of registered cases of infection with the new coronavirus is 4085.
Montenegro ranks third in the number of active COVID-19 cases in the region
In the region, the largest number of active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants is registered in Kosovo, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Montenegro.
In Kosovo, 206 active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants have been registered, in BiH 176, and Montenegro 162.
In North Macedonia, 141 active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants have been registered, in Albania 120, in Croatia 30 and Slovenia 12 infections have been registered per 100 thousand inhabitants.
After three days of publishing data on the number of active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants, Serbia is not now publishing figures. Therefore, the review for the number of active cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in the region does not present the number of active cases in Serbia.
A total of 830 cases of COVID-19 have been registered in the region today, which is the lowest since June 27.
New counter- COVID-19 measures from the National Coordinating Body for Infectious Diseases
The National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases (NKT) has stated that in recent days, cases of illegal private celebrations in restaurants and on beaches without adherence to epidemiological measures have been recorded, violations primarily relating to the number of persons allowed to gather and non-compliance with physical distance.
The Directorate for Inspection Affairs and other competent bodies from the state and local level will, in case of recurrence of such gatherings, close facilities and file criminal and misdemeanor charges against the organizers, i.e., owners or tenants of these catering facilities, issuing them with a ban.
Preparations intensify for the beginning of the school year
The Institute of Public Health and the Ministry of Education were recommended to follow the conclusion from last week's session and intensify preparations for the beginning of the school year, as well as ensuring the regular working of preschool institutions in adequate time and in a way to enable students to attend classes regularly.
Border crossing Metaljka fully open, sanitary inspections also organized at night for traffic crossings
The NKT has decided to reopen the Metaljka border crossing with Bosnia and Herzegovina on the road Pljevlja - Čajniče also for passengers into Montenegro. Passengers will be allowed to use this border crossing from 7 am to 7 pm while passengers will leave Montenegro without restrictions.
It was decided that sanitary inspection at traffic border crossings will be organized at night in case of an increased influx of passengers.
Entry of foreign journalists to cover elections
The NKT has provided an opportunity for the State Election Commission to accredit, following its procedures, media representatives from countries whose residents are not allowed to enter Montenegro.
Conditions stipulate that media representatives from countries whose residents are not allowed to enter Montenegro have a negative PCR test result for a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) issued by a registered laboratory and not older than 72 hours at the time of entry into Montenegro.
NKT accuses Serbian Orthodox Church of negatively influencing the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic
Illegal public gatherings organized by the Serbian Orthodox Church are the biggest threat to the health and lives of all citizens, the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases (NKT) assessed today.
The NKT stated that the epidemiological situation in the country has stabilised.
"Public gatherings organized by the Serbian Orthodox Church and certain political actors directly contribute to the growth of the number of infected and endanger the health and lives of people who participate in these gatherings, their families, and all citizens." The organizers of these illicit gatherings bear direct responsibility for the health and lives of Montenegro and foreigners in our country. There is not and must not be a policy that can be an obstacle to citizens' health and life. The risk of these illicit and dangerous gatherings is all the greater because the illnesses of those infected at unlawful meetings these days will manifest during the election process, which carries certain risks in case of non-compliance with the prescribed measures for all participants," stated the NKT.
With its today's unjustified and ruthless attack on the Church, the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases has left the last remnants of its reputation in tatters, reads the reaction of the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral to the accusations of the NKT.
"If the NKT, now fully politicized, had in mind the events that have taken place in recent weeks, as a reflection to the discriminatory and shameful Law on Freedom of Religion, then the institutions of the Serbian Orthodox Church should not be addressed here," said the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral.
They added that the resistance to lawlessness, which the NKT wholeheartedly supports, is organized by the citizens. "When church bodies organize something - it is known to the whole public. Given that this is not the case here, we can only say that you have deceived the public by telling this untruth," it concludes in response to the NKT's accusations.
