"In one way the incident was expected. We have come here to determine what is being done and for the time being, we think that what is being done is appropriate. As Minister of Health I will request that if any of the employees is found to be responsible, they bear adequate consequences," Beros told a press conference of the Split-Dalmatia Civil Protection Authority.
Late Tuesday evening 49 residents were evacuated from the nursing home in Split and taken to the Split Hospital. Most of them have mild symptoms while two have moderate symptoms and require oxygen. None of the patients are on a respirator.
Their average age is 86 and 22 of the patients are over 90. They have had an X-ray of their lungs, ECG and blood test taken and measures are also being taken regarding the remaining residents in the home.
"The fortunate thing is that only one floor was infected while other residents are physically separated," the minister underscored.
All staff working on that floor have been sent into self-isolation and will undergo testing. Some of them have not been tested as they live outside Split. Testing the entire staff is also being considered.
Health Minister Vili Beros tweeted on Wednesday that none of the beneficiaries of the Split nursing home was on a ventilator.
"None of the 49 evacuated beneficiaries of the Split nursing home... are on a ventilator at this moment, 47 have mild symptoms and two have medium symptoms," the minister said.
The pensioners were evacuated from the home late on Tuesday evening because tests showed that ten were positive for the coronavirus.
Bedekovic: All residents in Split nursing home receiving adequate care
Family and Social Policy Minister Vesna Bedekovic on Wednesday said that all 49 residents from a Split nursing home where an outbreak of coronavirus has occurred have been accommodated and are receiving adequate care, while staff who were in contact with them have been sent into self-isolation.
"All 49 residents from the nursing home in Split have been provided for and are receiving appropriate care, which is of exceptional importance at this time. Employees who were in contact with them are in self-isolation while we are considering testing the rest of the staff," Minister Bedekovic told a press conference in Split by the local civil protection authority.
Bedekovic travelled to Split together with Health Minister Vili Beros and visited the nursing home in which an outbreak of coronavirus had occurred. Late Tuesday evening, residents were evacuated from the home.
There are 46,000 elderly and disabled persons residing in various institutions and homes as part of the welfare system and they cared for by 6,300 employees. We have three state-run homes, 45 are decentralised and run by counties and about 250 privately-run homes.
Bedekovic said that the ministry was in constant communication with providers of institutional accommodation and that the developments related to the epidemic were being monitored and communicated on a daily basis either on the ministry's web site or via phone and e-mail.
An internal task force in the ministry has been active for three weeks and is responding to all questions and queries.
Bedekovic recalled that in the past four weeks a series of recommendations had been issued, the first dated February 27 when all visits to nursing homes were banned.
Domestic violence should be reported, minister says
Family Affairs and Social Policy Minister Vesna Bedakovic said on Wednesday it was necessary to report domestic violence and that the risk of it was higher due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
"There is no justification for violence. Violence needs to be reported," she said at a press conference in Split.
She said the risk of domestic violence was higher during isolation or self-isolation due to the coronavirus epidemic, adding that all social services were given clear instructions on how to respond.
"Even when we are not in a coronavirus epidemic period, the response in case of violence is immediate," the minister said.
She underlined the need that neighbours, friends and the community report domestic or violence against children as many victims cannot do it due to isolation measures.
Asked if persons entering safe houses should be tested for COVID-19, she said this should be done in children's homes, safe houses and other institutions as well as ensuring a space for residents to self-isolate for 14 days if necessary.
Text: Hina