SARS-COV-19 INFECTION IN THE KAMENICA REGION, KOSOVO

Suada FERA, Mije REÇI, Sheval MEMISHI

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected millions of people worldwide, including the population of Kosovo. Between the years 2019 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic brought on by SARS-CoV-2 spread quickly in Kosovo, greatly increasing the number of cases. Effective prevention and control measures rely on the virus being detected as early and accurately as possible. Using the RT-PCR technique, this study aimed to identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 non-specific sequences, and the increasing number of cases trend in 2021 from January to April in a specific rural region of Kosovo called Kamenica, which is home to many minority groups. The region has faced limited access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the need for increased support, and the significant importance of such studies to be conducted. According to the data analyzed by The National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, the number of COVID-19 cases in Kamenica showed fluctuations between January and May. Our study also highlighted the significant impact of vaccination in the prevention of the disease. The data revealed a marked decrease in the level of infections by 83% in May compared to previous months, indicating the effectiveness of vaccination in controlling the spread of the virus. This study emphasizes the significance of ongoing SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in the population, particularly in rural populations, and the requirement for public health authorities and policymakers to give priority to the requirements of these communities. To stop the virus from spreading further in Kamenica and other vulnerable areas of Kosovo, it is crucial to identify it early and put control measures, such as vaccination campaigns, informative open training for people to get educated, and improved access to healthcare.

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