Due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 patients in our country, the temporary Covid hospital in the Belgrade’s “Štark Arena” is ready again for the admission of patients, as witnessed by the Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin and the Head of the Military Health Department, Major General Uglješa Jovičić who visited that hospital today.

- Once again, the Serbian Armed Forces are at the disposal of all their citizens. Following the instructions of the Crisis Team and carrying out the orders given by the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić, and following the developments of the epidemiological situation, the Serbian Armed Forces have once again prepared the Arena for the admission of patients. We are ready to do that immediately, as soon as the medical authorities request that. The same people who have persevered and beaten the first two waves are here now. They are ready, trained, fully supplied with all necessities, and everything that is needed is available to the doctors and nurses here – said Minister Vulin.

Minister Vulin thanked all medical staff for enormous effort and emphasized that he was proud that, during the period of several months when the temporary Covid hospital in the “Štark Arena” operated, none of the doctors, nurses and cleaning staff got infected, simply because they all knew how to work in those circumstances.

-  We know how it’s done and we ask the patients to listen to us, to be patient, careful, disciplined and we will win. The Arena is ready. The conditions are the best possible, but if you want to avoid the virus, wear face masks, take care of those small things that can beat this horrible disease – said Minister Vulin. At the weekend, the temporary Covid hospital in the "Štark Arena" was cleaned and disinfected. Also, extra beds and all necessary diagnostic devices were set up. According to the chief medical coordinator of that hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Predrag Bogdanović, MD, the capacity has been increased by 150 new beds set up on the third floor of the hall, and now a total number of 510 beds are available for treatment in the "Štark Arena".

- Today, a medical team from Belgrade’s 15 health institutions gathered. It is a combination of military and civilian health care. We are also here, doctors from the military health care system, from the Military Medical Academy. I expect that several more doctors will come tomorrow, who will be medical coordinators, team leaders and who will draw on their experience and knowledge in the treatment of patients and help the primary health care doctors - says Lieutenant Colonel Bogdanović and points out that 10 doctors and 20 nurses are currently engaged in the "Štark Arena", and the number of health professionals will increase depending on the number of patients.

Patients in the temporary Covid hospital in the "Štark Arena" will have 24-hour care, emphasizes Lieutenant Colonel Bogdanović and explains that patients who need hospital treatment will be admitted there.

- Patients with a confirmed infection and complications such as pneumonia will be triaged as before, in the admission-triage infirmary at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Centre of Serbia. After laboratory and X-ray diagnostics, they will be referred to us. There is a ward here where we admit patients. Every patient who comes here will be re-examined. Medical documentation will be examined in detail, medical history of previous illnesses and possible allergies will be taken, and immediately after that the patient will be given appropriate therapy and be placed in a room - points out the chief medical coordinator of the temporary Covid hospital in the “Štark Arena”, Lieutenant Colonel Predrag Bogdanović.