The missions of the World Health Organisation and United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina have expressed concern about the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the country and called on the authorities to increase testing and contact tracing to contain the epidemic.

“The United Nations and World Health Organisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina are concerned with reports that medical institutions across the country are close to maximum capacity given the recent sharp increase in Covid-19 infections.” UN Resident Coordinator Ingrid Macdonald and WHO Representative Victor Olsavszky said in a joint statement on Sunday.

Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday confirmed 263 new cases of infection with the novel coronavirus, about 50 fewer than the past week’s average.

“Whilst maintaining the adequate supply of testing units, protective equipment and beds remain critical, of concern is the need for increased contact tracing, surveillance and specialist human resource capacity, especially front-line doctors and nurses. We cannot leave doctors and nurses to fight this crisis alone,” the UN and WHO said.

“One of the most important tools for suppressing Covid-19 transmission is contact tracing. It has long been the bedrock of outbreak response, from smallpox to polio, to Ebola and now, Covid-19. We have seen in other countries how this virus can be contained through aggressive and targeted tactics – with the rigorous finding, isolating and treatment of infections,” the two organisations said.

They said that the authorities and society would face even greater challenges with the upcoming start of the school year, noting that a great responsibility also lay with citizens who should observe basic epidemiological measures such as regularly washing hands, keeping adequate distance and wearing face masks.