Medical Expert: Omicron Probably Already in Serbia

Hospital, Covid-19 (YouTube screen shot)

Aleksandra Pavlovic, a medical director and the chief of the endoscopy service at the Dragisa Misovic Clinical Hospital Center, said on Dec. 23 that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has probably already arrived in Serbia. Although there is no proof of this at present, she says, the virus has been recorded in Serbia's immediate vicinity.

"The information [surrounding the Omicron strain] is very contradictory. Is it truly milder, as many say? And even if it is milder, it is certainly much more contagious. The very fact that it is so easily transmitted and can infect a huge number of people in a short time scares us," Pavlovic told the RTS public service.

According to her, the latter fact "means the inevitable overburdening of the healthcare system". What is more, she says, no one is fully protected from the Omicron strain because it circumvents our immune response, be it the product of natural immunity -- i.e. from prior infection -- or of a vaccine.

Pavlovic stressed that vaccination helps, as does abiding by the prescribed Covid safety measures -- which she believes should be more strictly enforced through both monitoring and punishments.

Asked to comment on the risks of mass gatherings, in light of the upcoming holidays, Pavlovic said that the repercussions of such behavior become apparent very quickly. "After seven to 15 days, we see the aftermath in our hospitals," Pavolvic concluded.