September 14, 2020 - The laboratories of the Institute of Public Health have completed PCR analysis of 618 samples for the new coronavirus since the last section. Among these, 188 new cases of COVID-19 infection were registered. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in Montenegro is currently 2190.
Number of new COVID-19 patients by municipality: Nikšić 87, Berane 32, Podgorica 29, Rožaje 12, Bar 8, Budva 4, Kotor 4, Andrijevica 4, Tivat 3, Bijelo Polje 2, Pljevlja 2, Plav 1.
Since the last section, one death has been reported in a COVID-19 positive patient from Podgorica born in 1950 who was treated at the Clinical Center of Montenegro. Since the beginning of June, the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 infection is 112. Since the beginning of the year 121.
Recovery has been reported in 82 patients. The total number of active COVID-19 cases in Montenegro is currently 2190.
Since the beginning of the year, the total number of registered coronavirus infections is 6900.
171 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized, 540 COVID-19 beds
The Director of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, Jevto Eraković, said that 171 patients were currently hospitalized in Montenegro.
"Thirty-two patients are in the KCCG, 16 patients in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, and in a stable condition. In the Internal Clinic, there are 15 patients, four of whom are in a life-threatening condition, and in the Institute for Children's Diseases, we have one child inpatient.
There are 18 patients in the General Hospital of Bar, four of whom are in intensive care. In Berane - 35 patients, three of whom have a severe clinical picture. In the Nikšić hospital, 46 patients, four with a severe clinical picture. In the Brezovik hospital, 11 patients; in Kodra, three patients, in the Pljevlja hospital 16 patients, in Bijelo Polje 10 patients ", said Eraković at the press conference of the NKT.
There is no fear for the health system's efficiency, which is being proven day by day, said Director Eraković at the press conference. He announced that Berane and Niksic are currently the two most endangered municipalities and that the system will be organized so that the hospitals in those cities will be relieved as much as possible.
The capacities in Montenegrin hospitals are currently 540 COVID beds, but that number, as Eraković said, can be doubled or tripled.
"Montenegro has more than 300 respirators, which is immeasurable compared to any other health care system," Erakovic pointed out.
Dismissal from the Department of Virology of the Institute of Public Health
Dr. Zoran Vratnica, one of the three doctors / molecular biologists employed at PCR diagnostics at the Institute of Public Health, resigned today, the Union of Medical Doctors of Montenegro announced on Facebook. Dr. Vratnica will take up new employment in a private diagnostic institution, "Diagnostica," where he is a co-owner.
"On several occasions since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Union of Doctors of Medicine has pointed out deficiencies in HR policy at the Department of Virology of the IPH. We note that the IPH employs eight microbiologists and several biochemistry engineers who were able to help exhausted colleagues on PCR diagnostics and keep up with the needs of testing," said doctors gathered in the Medical Doctors' Union.
According to unofficial information from the trade union, there are already about 1000 untreated coronavirus swabs.
The Assistant Director of the Institute of Public Health, Senad Begic, said at today's press conference of the NKT that about 1,300 samples are awaiting PCR analysis.
All persons waiting for a test result should stay in their homes until they know whether they are infected or not, said Begić. He added that at the moment, it takes up to three days to get results.
When asked by journalists about the microbiologist's resignation from the Institute of Public Health, Begic said that negotiations with him have been ongoing since January, when he expressed his desire to leave the IPH. Begic added that due to the epidemic, that decision was delayed, and he thanked his colleague for 30 years of work at the institution.
The Assistant Director of the IPH stated that three molecular biologists work in that institution and that the work continues in two shifts. A third molecular biologist is in training.
Citizens of Serbia to return to their country by Friday, September 18, at 6 pm.
All Serbian citizens who are staying in Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, should return to their country by Friday at 6 pm, the coronavirus Crisis Staff of Serbia appealed.
They announced that after that, a different regime would apply - 10-day surveillance for all passengers entering Serbia from Montenegro, BiH, Croatia, and other countries with a high incidence of COVID-19.
The Serbian Crisis Staff stated that it would not be about quarantine and self-isolation, but about surveillance, including specific measures and activities to reduce the transmission of the virus and importation of cases from abroad.
The Crisis Staff decided to consider such a step when the number of new coronavirus infections in Serbia began to grow.
