Kosovo, citizens seek additional measures on coronavirus

There has been no positive case in Kosovo with the new virus, which has also received the official name COVID-19, which is believed to have originated in China. However, many citizens feel that everyone should step up measures to prevent or even face an evental spread.

During Tuesday, three suspected cases of coronavirus were presented at the University Clinical Centre. But the National Institute of Public Health announced that the tests proved negative for the new coronary.

The Red Antigon, citizen of Pristina, says he does not know whether the awareness institutions are sufficiently prepared in the event of this virus's appearance in Kosovo.

In Kosovo, I think the situation in hospitals is not very good. This is making me feel insecure because the virus has arrived in Italy and I think there's going to be a lot of time in Albania, which causes me to fear that it's going to come to us too, says Red.

I travel in urban traffic for myself, which makes me in touch with a lot of people, and that's causing me fear. As a citizen, I would like to know what measures the government and other institutions have taken, and”, she says.

Another citizen, Valdete Hamiti, says it is not certain that health institutions are prepared to manage the virus in case of his showing in the country.

I as a citizen am concerned with the spread of the new coronavirus in the world, as I think there are no conditions in Kosovo to deal with. Although the institutions are saying it is not alarming and everything is under control, there is still that fear of whether we have conditions to protect and treat”, she said.

Although very few people can be seen in Pristina in protective masks, as one of the antiproliferation measures of the virus, some drug users say that there is a shortage of masks, since Monday, when even there was suspicion of a case against the corruption of the virus, the requirements for masks increased greatly.

Pharmacist Mirlinda Gashi says that currently in the drug store where she works, there are no masks for sale.

Meanwhile, the price of 0.5 cents as long as it had been earlier has now increased to 0.10 cents, due to large demand.

There are no masks today. We had it for sale yesterday. Yesterday was a greater requirement than the previous times”, Gashi said.

The masquerades that we have are simple and can protect you from the infected person, so that no bacteria is carried”, she points out.

Izzet Sadiku, an infectionlogist, said that the Infectious Clinic is already ready to accept people affected by the new coronavirus, where, according to the World Health Organization's recommendations, there is already an isolated department.

“Given the spread of coronavirus, it is considered that Kosovo too is a dangerous country. The way the disease spread and the manifestations of clinical illness, similar to the common flu, have prompted us to take measures to accept the cases”, Sadiku says.

“We've had several suspected cases, but which have resulted from negative”, the infected Sadiku points out.

According to him, a very important issue is that there is no panic and a trace of the steps of the Institute of Public Health, since mortality from this disease, Sadiku says, is low and goes up to 3 percent.

Minister of Health in the Government of Kosovo Arben Vitita said that even Pristina International Airport, “Adem Jashari”, has made all necessary preparations to control citizens coming from abroad.

He said there's health staff at this airport.

The strategic “Plant was approved last week and we've already started with meetings, and of course, actions that connect with other ministries. We are working to undertake all measures”, Minister Vitia said.

Over 2,600 people died in China from this virus, which first appeared. The number of cases affected in the world has already exceeded 80,000.

Italy is the country with the most people affected with this virus in Europe, until Tuesday another case of the new coronavrus in Croatia has been confirmed.

The main signs of coronavirus infection are high temperatures, coughs, and respiratory difficulties.

The World Health Organisation (OBSH) has said on Monday that the world must do more to prepare for possible pandemic. /rel/