Mirsad Djerlek(BETAPHOTO/VLADA SRBIJE/SLOBODAN MILJEVIC/MO)
Mirsad Djerlek, the state secretary of the Serbian health ministry, said on Wednesday, Jan. 11, that he believes the new COVID-19 strain has already arrived in Serbia and that its detection is “a matter of days.”
“I personally believe that the new strain [of COVID-19] has arrived [in Serbia], but we’re waiting for [its official] registration. I think it’s a matter of days, given that we already have the first cases in Romania. This whole situation, the holidays, our people coming over from Europe to celebrate New Year and Christmas here, they all have contributed to the worsening of the epidemiological situation,” Djerlek told the RTS public service.
According to him, Serbia had around 500 cases per day in December, but now that number has risen above 1000.
“This is one of the most contagious strains -- it’s what the scientists tell us, who have more experience and knowledge than me in that regard. We still don’t have [an official] confirmation, but it is most likely here given the number of cases,” Djerlek said and added that the new strain causes milder symptoms.
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