362 cases of COVIDD-19, 8 dead, 59 healed all that happened within a month in Kosovo

Early in January 2020, the preparation of recommendations, guides, protocols and other documents for health professionals, populations, public and private organisations, airport, border points, etc.

At the end of January 2020, the microbiology laboratory at IKSHPK has been equipped with reactions for testing at SARS-CoV-2.

On February 14, 2020, the plan for preparedness and response for Coronavirus/ COVID-19 in the MSH, with the possibility of reacting according to the epidemiological and conform situation O BSH, E CDC, CDC.

From February 8th to April 12, 2020, at the Medieval Microbiology Laboratory in IKHPK with RT- The PCR, a total of 3,256 suspicious samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been tested.

From March 13, 2020, when the first 2 cases were confirmed, by April 12th 2020 have resulted in positive 362 cases.

By April 13th, after the investigation, 59 cases have been healed. Considered Such by O Protocol BSH, so when 2 samples result negative by at least one day's distance. And eight cases of death have been recorded. All the cases have been associated with other diseases.

During the 24 hours in the IKSHPK, all contact cases and contacts are contacted and monitored. They are tasked with self-defence and are advised for medical assistance if there are symptoms.

By April 13th, 4,795 contact cases have been contacted and monitored. Following the number of cases detected and confirmed, you see the tendency to increase COVID-19 in the country and the world.

Human resources specialised in epidemicology in Kosovo.

There are 22 epidemiologists for the entire country (including employees at 6 regional centres) in the ICH. While five other epidemiologists work in the QKMF (in 5 municipalities: Obilic, Podujevo, Istog, Drenas and Year.
Another 17 experts needed basic needs in a common situation. (5) Specialists for Epidemiology for the central level and for each regional centre by 2 specialists.

Why are epidemiologists needed? They have a key role in research and surveillance of cases of infectious diseases. Specific methods of detection, research and epidemiological tracking make «their commitment during irreplaceable pandemic.

Currently, with 362 cases, 4,795 contacts, over 500 people in quarantine and entry at border points, the number of epidemiologists with the country is extremely low.

So far, no work process has stalled with as much professional as we have, thanks to their willingness to work without stopping.

Ten epidemiologists work at the Emergency Operations Center. They cover the entire territory of the country together with epidemiologists from regions.

The epidemiologists' work consists of: researching and contacting all suspicious cases with COVID-19, monitoring access to border entry points; monitoring quarantined persons; collecting and analyzing data; communicating with the population with recommendations and advice.

Research: In any case referred to as suspicious in COVID-19 by the Infectious Clinic, other QKUC clinics, regional hospitals, Family Medical Centers, and ground reporting cases, the investigation of case and contact tracking is immediately initiated.

Tracking: With the discovery of contacts begins detailed tracking into the mobility of contact in their last three weeks. So you get to the source of infection. This process has the maximum difficulty and takes time.

Any case that results from whether it is positive or negative, which is not extended to the clinic, is constantly monitored through daily contact, in co-operation with the police, giving them recommendations for implementing safeguards and being interested in their state of health.

All this seized information is turned into data that enters the Kosova Health Alert System, the O database BSH and IKKPK database. These data are processed and analyzed in preparation for regular reports.

Every health institution and municipal chairman is only informed of positive and negative cases and is recommended for undertaking preventive and control measures in respective municipalities. Each regional public health centre is informed of cases in their regions. Periodic reports sent to international institutions ( ECDC and WHO.

The collected and analysed data serve in planning the terrain for tracking and testing close contacts with positive cases.

Human resources specialised in microbiology in Kosovo.

29 microbiologists work in IKH. ( In Pristina, é 12 people and 6 Centres -17 people. Basic needs, in normal situations, require 32 more microbiologists. (for the central level IKSHPK in Pristina + 8 Specialists for Microbiology and for every QRSHP and 4 specialists). Also needed are 29 specialists «for clinical microbiology at SHSKUK (5 in Pristina) and for each Regional General Hospital by 4 specialists (Although 6 SPR x 4 = 24).

The Department of Microbiology during February 8th-13th, April 2020, has tested and continues to test all cases at the Medieval Microbiology Laboratory in IKSHPK with the RT- PCR.

Since 2009, the Moldovan microbiology laboratory is the only such one throughout Kosovo.

In the lab, they worked until the beginning of the pandemic at COVID-10 just two people -- a microbiology specialist, and a lab.

As the number of applications for testing increased initially, 2 microbiology and 1 labonants have had preliminary experience in testing with RT PCR. And the last few days have added three microbiology specialists.

We have sought assistance and from two colleagues at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterina, Pristina University “Hasan Pristina”, as well as 1 colleagues at the Food and Veterina Agency who have the necessary expertise.

So far through I The KSHPK and the Health Ministry have contracted 11,250 reactions to Real Time PCR. And in the process of procurement, there is also the demand for 10,000 more reactions, for which procedure has begun. And 2500 reactions with RT- PCR requested via U office NICEF in Pristina, as well as in request addressed by the U officeAID via O The BSH is also 3,500 reactions.

Two “Real Time PCR” are accepted for use in the laboratory of molecular microbiology, one from the Faculty of Medicine, and the other from the Kosovar Agency for Medicine Products. Two other institutions -- the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, as well as the Food and Veterinary Agency -- have offered Real Time PCRs for use in case of need.

We are in the process of buying four devices for automatic extracting nucleic acids, which is an important process for testing. This through the WHO office in Pristina and USAID. As well as 4 Real Time PCR devices through U.S. AID and CDF (GFATM ). After 4-6 weeks of laboratory capacity with equipment is expected to grow markedly thanks to these donors.

Why don't you run more tests for a diagnosis of COVID-19 infection at the Medieval Microbiology lab in IKSHPK?

First, it would be better to have had more molecular diagnostic labs in the health sector and more specialised personnel in this diagnostic procedure. But these human and laboratory capacities cannot be created for two or three weeks or two or three months. Even a trained specialist to work in molecular diagnostics needs about six months of training in order to work independently. Also, laboratory demand for equipment and workspace cannot be created adhoc because of very specific working conditions, even if at this point there is a great need for these.

The Department of Microbiology, I The KSHPK, with an extremely limited budget, conducted about 200,000 different microbiological examinations annually for significant public health infections for all of Kosovo, for patients of the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, as well as citizens of the Pristina region. A microbiology specialist and a lab worker works in all the labs where these services are performed. Therefore, to be set as a target of criticism why more people in Kosovo are not being tested for COVID-19, a laboratory, the diagnostic service of infectious diseases whose needs for human resources have been neglected for years or as constant demands for equipment, work space, and budget, respectively, cannot be correct.

Since the start of the system with COVIED-19 lab personnel is working seven days a week, with no scheduled schedule of about 16 hours a day. All samples, which have been accepted so far, have been tested within a day or beyond within 24 hours that means overcoming the capacities of modern European labs. No Kosovo citizen who has had epidemiological indicators and referred to testing has been left untested.

Other states have committed to RT testing PCR for COVIID diagnosis 19 all available labs. And at the molecular microbiology lab in IKSHPK is the only one in Kosovo in the public and private health sector.

No tests or devices are produced in Kosovo for Real Time PCR. And we work in the state that has shared at least for health in Europe for many years.

So we're calling on you to help us in case you don't have a professional opportunity to help us in this situation:

Please do not criticize us without basis, for it is giving them the maximum commitment in our circumstances.

Any unfounded criticism may be influential in the weight of the epidemiological situation and in the demoting of staff committed to the implementation of the enormous volume of jobs in meeting with the epidemic.