Skopje, 5 January 2022 (MIA) – The large number of new COVID-19 infections, especially among the young population, is a consequence of a rather irresponsible behavior, continuously, and particularly during the period of New Year’s celebrations, Head of the Infectious Diseases Clinic Milena Stevanovikj told MIA after Tuesday recorded over a thousand new cases of the virus. “Over the past two years we’ve noticed serious disregard for even far stricter measures against COVID-19. Obviously, there’s no one and nothing that could prevent our people when it comes to celebrations regardless of the personal, family and collective cost, unfortunately, that comes after. The ‘white coat’ urged for a serious need for responsible behavior during the holidays, but unfortunately such is the respect for us, the ‘white coats’, of course, until trouble knocks at the door,” said Stevanovikj. She stressed that healthcare workers would be happy to see that citizens who want great safety are vaccinated regularly, and are in greater numbers according to recommendations. The third booster dose of the vaccine, she added, is necessary to boost immunity and protection against COVID-19. “Neither are those who have recovered more protected, we can see today that that’s not the case. The risk of reinfection with Omicron is far greater, as we can see in the hospitals these days. When it comes to vaccination, no vaccine provides 100 percent protection. Vaccine protection varies depending on the mutations of certain strains of the virus. But from each and every one of them we expect protection and far milder infection,” Stevanovikj noted. She added she wouldn’t go into details or present expert opinions on the possible development of the pandemic in terms of Omicron. According to her, no one can assess the situation that far along at this point. The intensity of outpatient examinations, Stevanovikj noted, is seriously increased at the Infectious Diseases Clinic. Therefore, she urged patients to first consult their family physicians for initial instructions and treatment, so that each patient can receive appropriate care. “Infection with Omicron is mild, but of course, a large number of infected patients will need hospital treatment, which will certainly fill up hospital facilities. We must also consider the fact that other winter viruses are intensely circulating, particularly the flu, which is manifested with serious symptoms and need for hospital treatment, so we must provide space for every single patient who needs treatment,” Stevanovikj told MIA.