SITUATION REPORT #58 / 26 July 2021 Reporting Period: 13/07 – 26/07/2021

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO COVID-19 in Mixed Migration Context in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SITUATION REPORT #58 / 26 July 2021 Reporting Period: 13/07 – 26/07/2021 http://drc.ba/covid19_resources

BIWEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS UPDATES:  205,495 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in BiH, 9,677 deaths and 188,835 recovered patients.1 1 PoC exhibiting symptoms and  1 PoC exhibiting COVID-like symptoms monitored by PHC and DRC medical teams isolated in in TRC Borici. reception facilities  No active cases isolated or requiring monitoring by PHC and DRC medical teams 1,563 PoCs in TRCs. screened in  5 newly arrived PoCs exhibiting COVID-like symptoms referred to symptomatic reception facilities isolation: 4 PoCs in TRC Borici and 1 PoC in TRC Blazuj.

0 new PoCs  1,563 PoCs screened for COVID-19 symptoms (all new arrivals to reception confirmed positive centers). for COVID-19  63 PoCs monitored in preventive isolation by DRC Medical Officers (8 in TRC Miral CUMULATIVE: and 55 in TRC Borici).  108 PoCs referred to preventive isolation in the reception facilities. 274 PoCs positive  for COVID-19 There were 4 tested PoCs for COVID-19 during the reporting period, all negative on the test. 78,918 COVID- 19 screenings in reception facilities KEY DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES and in out-of-site  There is a noticeable increase of respiratory infections during the previous period locations (up to 30%) due to changing weather conditions, as well smaller compliances with preventive measures against spread of COVID-19 (which prevents the spread of 1,667 PoCs other respiratory conditions, as well). tested for COVID- 19  In preparation for the upcoming 4th wave of pandemic (rise of cases identified regionally, as well as globally), it is crucial to comply with preventive measures

1 Official statistics for Federation of BiH, Republika Srpska and Brcko District.

against the spread of COVID-19 infection inside the TRCs. With limited capacity of symptomatic and preventive isolation, responding to and containing the possible outbreak will be even more challenging, especially inside the family TRC (accommodating medically most vulnerable cases).

 Following the general invitation for vaccination against COVID-19 at different locations (PHC Livno, MoH SC, etc.) it is highly recommended for all the service providers to get vaccinated as soon as possible, since as the first line responders working with vulnerable categories, they are considered more exposed to contacts and infection with the virus.

 Following the rainy weather conditions, preventive isolation of TRC Borici has temporarily been increased to 138 beds (left wing of the second floor of the facility) in order to accommodate new families arriving to USC. Upon the 7-day isolation, this new capacity was made into regular accommodation space, leaving TRC Borici with only 56 beds of preventive and 6 beds of symptomatic isolation.

 A total of 84 PoCs were discharged from preventive isolation in all TRCs in BiH and 3 PoCs from symptomatic isolation, upon the expiry of isolation and monitoring period. In the same period, 27 PoCs left preventive isolation and 2 PoCs left symptomatic isolation of their own will.

 Outreach response: o PoCs in out-of-site locations are provided with medical assistance by DRC and RC teams visiting the sites, delivering First Aid and performing medical screening of PoCs for COVID-19 symptoms. o Due to the high number of PoCs in out-of-site locations, DRC outreach teams are performing a higher number of COVID-19 symptom screenings, delivering health educational sessions on COVID-19 preventive measures, referring and reporting any suspected case to health authorities. o Large number of families with small children are present on out-of-site locations, and with several cases of communicable diseases reported (varicella, food poisoning, skin infections, etc.) there is a need for immediate response in provision of direct medical aid, as well as actions designed to improve sanitary-epidemiological conditions at the sites (food and NFI distribution, WASH activities, etc.).

OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

 COVID-19 Response in TRCs in BiH: o At the moment, a total of 220 beds in TRCs in USC are available for preventive isolation and a total of 155 beds for POCs with COVID-19 symptoms in USC/SC/HNC.

o The Danish Refugee Council, through the implementation of “Response to health needs of migrants and general population in relation to COVID-19 outbreak” project funded by the Government of Switzerland, delivered personal protective equipment to PHC Kljuc (KN95 masks). Through the same project, fully equipped dentistry unit is being established inside TRC Blazuj, to be operational as of 1st of August.  Coordination with authorities and health actors: o Public Health Institute of USC has shared addition to measures for preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection among the population living and working inside Temporary Reception Centers of USC from 22.06.2021., which states the following: “Mandatory measure of intensified hygienic-epidemiological supervision in the length of 7 days is proposed for all newly arrived PoCs, after the initial examination by a doctor of medicine - medical screening. The isolation will be conducted in separate isolation units - preventive isolation. In case, a PoC accepts testing by rapid antigen test (minimum sensitivity 80-90%) done by the respected Primary Health Center, two separate tests are proposed in period of 5 days (the first day after admission and the fifth day after admission) during which the PoC will be isolated within the preventive isolation, and will be released to the general population after receiving a second negative test result.” o Following the new updated preventive measures shared by PHI USC, relevant stakeholders, namely SFA, IOM and DRC have had initial discussion regarding technical challenges and potential limitations for the implementation of the new measures. The follow up meeting will be scheduled in upcoming period with relevant health authorities. o The temporary reception centers are still considered to have a heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission due to being densely populated and with limited access to proper and regular sanitary facilities, so it is necessary to continue complying with infection prevention and control (IPC) measures recommended by health authorities. Individuals vaccinated (fully or partially) against

SARS-CoV-2, regardless of vaccine type, are still obliged to follow all IPC measures in place, since they could still be a source of infection for others.  Measures related to humanitarian staff: o Humanitarian staff working in the reception centers and out of site locations should continuously self-monitor2. In case humanitarian staff have been in contact with persons confirmed positive for COVID-19, they should inform their health provider and follow the suggested measures. Staff exhibiting COVID-19 like symptoms, including fever, should suspend their presence from the reception centers until fully recovered. Additionally, information needs to be shared with DRC medical teams, to ensure contact tracing and mitigating the risk of spread of COVID-19 infection. o Vaccination of the service providers is highly recommended through newly available sources.

MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY BIH AUTHORITIES

On 15.07.2021. the Federal Government of BiH extended the measures currently in place since 03.06.2021. Preventive measures extended for another 14 days On 22.07.2021. Federal Public Health Institute have shared the information regarding number of vaccines to be delivered and used in Federation of BiH in upcoming period. PHI FBiH shared the number of available vaccines Ministry of Health SC have announced the start of mass vaccination against COVID-19 from 31st of July in Zetra. Mass vaccination in Zetra

MEDIA REPORTING

1. Bosnia reports 23 new coronavirus cases and no fatalities

Bosnian health officials reported 23 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday and no virus-related fatalities.

Bosnia reports 23 new coronavirus cases and no fatalities - N1 (n1info.com)

2. Delta variant threatens Europe’s reopening

European leaders are renewing calls for citizens to get vaccinated and reposing coronavirus restrictions as the more transmissible Delta variant takes hold in Europe.

2 The Federal Institute for Public Health has made available the online self-assessment test on COVID-19, available at https://www.zzjzfbih.ba/covid-19/ 5

“The currently observed and predicted continuing deterioration of the epidemiological situation in many countries is expected, given the rapid increase in the Delta variant,” the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) explained in its latest Covid-19 overview published on Friday.

Delta variant threatens Europe’s reopening - N1 (n1info.com)

3. Greek donation of 120,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in Bosnia

A donation of 120,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Bosnia from Greece on Tuesday.

Greek donation of 120,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in Bosnia - N1 (n1info.com)

4. Brazilian COVID-19 variant detected in Bosnia

Coronavirus gamma strain also known as the Brazilian variant of the virus has been detected in a sample of a foreign citizen in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, whose lab confirmed the virus strain presence, said on Monday.

Brazilian COVID-19 variant detected in Bosnia - N1 (n1info.com)

5. Azerbaijan donates 40,000 Doses of Vaccines to BiH

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) delivered a valuable donation of vaccines from Azerbaijan to Sarajevo Airport today. At the end of last week, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, announced that he would deliver a donation of 40,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to Sarajevo on July 19, and the plane with the vaccines arrived at the Sarajevo airport today as planned.

Azerbaijan donates 40,000 Doses of Vaccines to BiH - Sarajevo Times

6. EU sends another batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Bosnia

Another shipment of vaccines against coronavirus arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina Wednesday morning through the EU4Health programme, assistant minister of civil affairs Dusan Kojic confirmed.

EU sends another batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Bosnia - N1 (n1info.com)

7. Croatia to donate another 240,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to BiH

Croatia will donate another 240,000 doses of vaccines against COVID-19 to Bosnia, Croatia’s Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, tweeted following his meeting with the leader of the main Bosnian Croat party, Dragan Covic, in Zagreb on Tuesday.

“As a partner and neighbouring country, Croatia will donate 240,000 doses of the vaccine and will according to a decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia provide free vaccination even to those without health insurance, which is an important message to Croats in BiH, as well as Bosniaks and Serbs and other citizens in BiH,” Plenkovic tweeted.

Croatia to donate another 240,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to BiH - N1 (n1info.com)

8. Viskovic: The maximum Number of People should be vaccinated so that we could be ready for the fourth Wave

Radovan Viskovic, the Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska (RS), yesterday called on the citizens of the RS to take advantage of the favorable epidemiological situation and get vaccinated, because it is necessary to vaccinate the maximum number of people in RS in order to be ready for the upcoming fourth wave of the virus which is already being talked about in the profession and the media.

Viskovic: The maximum Number of People should be vaccinated so that we could be ready for the fourth Wave - Sarajevo Times

9. Livno Canton calls on all BiH citizens to apply for vaccination

The Health Centre of the south Bosnian Livno Canton called, on Wednesday, all Bosnian Citizens regardless of their place of residents to apply for inoculation against Covid-19.

“We inform all interested persons, regardless of their place of residence and type of health insurance, who have not been vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease, that they can contact the Health centre Livno – the Hygienic and Epidemiological Service via phone number 034/201-350 to get their appointment,” they stated in their notice.

Livno Canton calls on all BiH citizens to apply for vaccination - N1 (n1info.com)

10. Sarajevo records Increase in Number of Coronavirus Cases

In the past 24 hours, 16 new cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed in the Sarajevo Canton, and 609 people were tested.

Sarajevo records Increase in Number of Coronavirus Cases - Sarajevo Times

11. Tegeltija: Conditions have been created for mass vaccination of citizens

At yesterday’s session of the Council of Ministers stated that 1,596,560 doses of vaccines have arrived in BiH so far, and that by the end of August they expect about two million vaccines to arrive through the “Covax” and “EU4 Health” mechanisms, through direct procurement, and donations.

On that occasion, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Zoran Tegeltija, pointed out that in this way conditions have been met for mass vaccination of citizens and emphasized that the procurement of additional doses of coronavirus vaccines for BiH citizens would continue and that all prescribed procedures should be honored.

Tegeltija: Conditions have been created for mass vaccination of citizens - FENA.NEWS

12. Slovenia delivers 48,000 AstraZeneca doses to Bosnia

The Republic of Slovenia delivered 48,000 AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine doses, Thursday, to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Slovenia delivers 48,000 AstraZeneca doses to Bosnia - N1 (n1info.com)

13. Sarajevo Canton starts mass immunization of citizens

Mass vaccination of Sarajevo Canton citizens of all ages is planned to start this weekend, a health ministry spokesperson confirmed on Monday. Mirna Pecikoza, the ministry spokeswoman, addressed the media and unveiled the vaccination plan for the next few days, noting that after the risk categories are done with the immunization, all citizens aged 18 and above will be able to get their vaccine at the Zetra Sports Hall as of Saturday.

“On Saturday, July 31, we can announce that Sarajevo Canton will be the first to launch the open door days. Four thousand AstraZeneca vaccines have been secured for all those above age of 18, who can come to Zetra without invitation. The same number of vaccines will be secured for August 1 and 2, each, for the Sarajevo canton citizens regardless of age,” she said.

The cantonal authorities expect to receive 24,000 AstraZeneca doses in the following days.

Sarajevo Canton starts mass immunization of citizens - N1 (n1info.com)

Stay informed – find the latest information from WHO or related sources: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/ https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 https://www.epi-win.com/

We thank you for your responsible behavior in the interest of your own health, but also in the interest of the health of all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.