HCK Says 287 Tonnes of Food Distributed, HRK 38.5 mn Raised Over Past Week
ZAGREB, 5 January 2021 - Red Cross Croatia (HCK) said on Tuesday that it had distributed 287 tonnes of food, over 200,000 litres of water and more than 60,000 hot meals in the areas hit by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on December 29 and that it had raised HRK 38.5 million in financial donations over the past week.
More than 1,000 packages of children's food and equipment, 52 packages of animal food, 623 heaters, 76 generator units have been distributed as well.
"Currently the demand is highest for generator units, heaters, extension cords, canvases, plastic sheeting and burners," HCK said.
The organisation stressed that information spreading on social networks was not true and that it caused direct harm to the quake-hit population and caused a fall in the number of donations that would be very transparently distributed to the earthquake victims.
"The right to humanitarian aid is not conditional on the presentation of any identification documents, Red Cross teams are regularly visiting remote hamlets as well, and assistance is given to everyone in need," HCK said.
Psychosocial support has been provided to the earthquake victims and so far more than 2,900 such services have been provided, the organisation said.
Researchers Have Not Detected "English" Strain of Virus in Croatia Yet
ZAGREB, 5 January 2021 - A Croatian team of researchers and doctors have sequenced about 60 genomes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, collected in Zagreb and north Croatia, and preliminary data does not confirm the detection of the fast mutating variant from England, the team reported on Tuesday.
The samples for the testing were taken in Zagreb and in the northern cities of Varazdin and Cakovec and the sequencing of the genomes was conducted at the start of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, that is from August to November 2020. Also, some of the relevant testing was conducted in early December.
The project is being led by Kristian Vlahovicek, a professor at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Science.
The purpose of the project is to establish the connections between the genetic basis of the virus and the development of more serious symptoms of the COVID disease in some patients.
The first stage of the project lasts until the end of 2021.
Vlahovicek said that the good news was that those 60 sequenced genomes found by researchers did not match the fast-mutating strain detected in England in November 2020.
However, the professor underscored that the findings did not mean that that variant was not present in Croatia, but in the event that it spread to Croatia, it had not been a dominant variant.
On the other hand, 30% of the samples analysed showed mutations matching the variant of the virus in Scotland, found there in August.
The professor said that this mutation was perceived to be connected with faster spreading of the virus and not with development of serious symptoms.
Canadian Government Donating $500,000 CAD to Earthquake Efforts in Croatia
January 5, 2021 - Great news from the Canadian Government, which announced it would be donating CAD 500,000 to earthquake efforts in Croatia.
The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, François-Philippe Champagne, announced on Tuesday they would be donating to support emergency response and recovery efforts in Croatia after the 6.4 magnitude earthquake devastated the Petrinja and Sisak area on December 29, 2020.
Namely, the Government of Canada will donate CAD 500,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to support the Croatian Red Cross and help those affected by the earthquake by distributing essential goods such as food and water to those affected.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and terrible destruction brought by the powerful earthquake. Canada offers its sincerest condolences to the people of Croatia and stands ready to support them during this difficult time," François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said about the donation.
TCN learned that Member of Parliament, Bob Bratina, Chair of the Canada Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group, was instrumental in lobbying for this aid.
The Government also announced that they would continue to work closely with the Canadian Red Cross and the Croatian Government to monitor the situation and ensure a coordinated response.
You can read more on the Government of Canada website HERE.
For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary, and material aid, follow our dedicated section.
Civil Protection Headquarters: No Easing Measures in Croatia
January 5, 2021 – National Civil Protection Headquarters members presented the news related to coronavirus in Croatia at today's press conference.
In the last 24 hours, 1071 new cases were recorded, and the number of active cases in Croatia today is 5908. Fifty-three people died, of which one 36-year-old who had asthma and obesity. There are currently 17,448 people in self-isolation.
The Croatian Institute of Public Health director, Krunoslav Capak, said that in a week, we have 23 percent positive cases from those tested, and Slovenia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Poland are worse than us.
According to last night's data, 13,798 people were vaccinated, of which 443 were in Sisak-Moslavina County. A total of 1,040 people were vaccinated in Sisak.
No relaxating measures yet
As Index reports, Interior Minister Davor Božinović said that at this point, our numbers are slightly better. However, analyzing our situation and beyond in Europe, Croatia sees something that is already called the third wave of the epidemic.
"Many countries are entering a new lockdown, and we will closely monitor all trends to avoid similar developments in Croatia. We take seriously the experience of easing measures in Europe and the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus discovered in an increasing number of countries. It may appear in Croatia sooner or later," said Božinović.
Alemka Markotić, the Director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević" in Zagreb, said they had not found any associated mutations so far.
"Some samples are still being tested. It is the work of several teams. The analyzes are comprehensive, so we would not like to fly out with half-information. As soon as we get all the necessary information, we will go public with it," said Markotić about the new strain of coronavirus.
Božinović added that they need to pay attention to the effects of earthquakes, Christmas, and the New Year. In that context, they have not yet made a decision, but there are no thoughts about any relaxation of measures yet.
As for local headquarters, Božinović says it is not an option for them to propose easing measures. Passes were revoked due to the known circumstances related to the earthquake, and the Headquarters are not considering reintroducing them.
Vaccination in front of the camera
Today, the National Civil Protection Headquarters members Davor Božinović, Alemka Markotić, and Krunoslav Capak were vaccinated in front of the camera, but not Health Minister Vili Beroš. As he says, he will be vaccinated when his acquired natural immunity drops. Namely, the Health Minister recently overcame the coronavirus himself.
"I was in doubt about what to do myself, and after consulting with the profession, I support vaccination. I will get vaccinated when my acquired natural immunity drops. Seeking extra protection when there is not enough vaccination is not considered ethical, "said Beroš.
As he said, he is not the only one who got over the coronavirus. There are 214,000 people who did. All of them who overcame the disease three to six months ago should not be vaccinated at this time, but when their acquired immunity is degraded.
Beroš also stated that an 82-year-old woman from a nursing home in Čakovec died of a heart attack one day after being vaccinated from coronavirus. Her death has nothing to do with vaccination, the Minister explained. Following the law, the entire event was reported to the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices HALMED.
"A thousand people die in Croatia every week. When you vaccinate older people because you are trying to protect them from coronavirus, which is very deadly for them, of course, some of them will die. Just before my arrival here, I received information that 13 people died in Europe, and it was proven that it was not related to the vaccine," said Capak.
He added the second phase of vaccination will begin in the second half of January. Minister Božinović emphasized once again that there was still no indication of easing the measures
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Task Force Head Says Around 1,000 Container Homes Needed
ZAGREB, 5 January 2021 - Deputy PM Tomo Medved, who heads the task force dealing with the aftermath of the December 29 earthquake, has said that 1,000 container homes were needed to provide accommodation for people whose homes were made unlivable by the earthquake and that domestic producers were involved in the process.
Touring the earthquake-hit communities of Sisak-Moslavina County, Medved said that some people whose houses were damaged had good reason to refuse to leave their homes.
"We will find a way to protect them and provide them with accommodation. According to preliminary estimates, around 1,000 containers are necessary in Sisak-Moslavina as well as parts of Zagreb and Karlovac counties," he said.
He said some of the containers would be put next to the houses that were damaged or destroyed while some would be formed into settlements in the immediate vicinity of people's homes where that was possible.
Medved noted that some 20 containers previously allocated to hospitals for the fight against coronavirus were being relocated to the quake-hit area.
A reporter remarked that media were being contacted by people who lacked information on whether they should start renovating their homes or protect them and who were being referred to a phone number where nobody was answering their calls.
Medved said that the necessary phone numbers would be available today and called on media to share with the task force any information on earthquake victims in need of help so it could respond.
Great efforts made to reach all people hit by earthquake
Asked if all people hit by the earthquake had been reached, he said that he could not say that with 100% certainty but that great efforts had been made and that rescue teams were continuing to visit the whole area, and he once again called for sharing information on families that still had not been reached.
Bozinovic: There Will be No Relaxation of Epidemiological Measures
ZAGREB, 5 January 2021 - Due to the third wave of the epidemic in Europe, the strict epidemiological measures in Croatia will most likely not be relaxed, but the reintroduction of passes is not likely, the head of the national civil protection team, Davor Bozinovic, said on Tuesday.
Although the number of new infections in Croatia is slightly lower, the team is not considering the relaxation of measures as there are already signs of a "third wave of the epidemic" in Europe, and a large number of EU countries are introducing a new lockdown, Bozinovic told a press conference.
The situation in European countries, in which the number of infections surged following a relaxation of measures, as well as the appearance of a new strain of the virus, are being taken into account. We will carefully monitor all trends and make optimal moves to avoid that, he said.
The impact of the earthquake and the Chrismas and New Year holidays on the epidemic will be visible only in a few weeks, and for now the team is not considering a relaxation of measures, Bozinovic said.
The ban on leaving one's county of residence has been lifted because of the earthquake, and its reintroduction is not being considered.
Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) director Krunoslav Capak said that a week ago there had been 1,350 newly-infected people out of 7,411 tested, and the week before that 1,595 out of 9,088 tested. Last week saw a drop of 48% week-on-week, and this week saw a 16% drop.
The incidence rate has declined considerably compared to previous weeks, although in some counties, such as Medjimurje County, it remains high, while in others, like Dubrovnik-Neretva County, it remains low, Capak said.
We are 19th in the EU in terms of mortality. Last week, the percentage of positive tests was 23%. To date, 13,78 people have been vaccinated, 3,758 of whom are in the health sector.
Capak said that six side effects of the vaccine had been reported to date, mostly pain at the injection site, which is the most common side effect.
Petrinja Earthquake Relief: Jadrolinija Transported 150 Vehicles, Over 260 People for Free
January 5, 2021 - Jadrolinija joined the Petrinja earthquake relief last week, offering free travel for people from earthquake-affected areas, humanitarian aid vehicles, voluntary fire brigades, and HGSS.
Jadrolinija has introduced free transport for humanitarian aid vehicles, voluntary fire brigades, HGSS, and people from earthquake-affected areas. The Port of Rijeka has donated its space for a collection center for donations from Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Istria counties.
About 150 vehicles and more than 260 people have been transported by Jadrolinija ferries and catamarans free of charge so far, reports HRT.
Travel for humanitarians will continue to be free. David Sopta, President of the Management Board of Jadrolinija, says that he will list all the people who come and that everything will be fine.
Jadrolinija employees and management will pay around HRK 500,000 into the state budget.
The Port of Rijeka gave the Red Cross its 2,000-square-meter space to form a collection center for humanitarian aid donations from Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Istria counties.
The director of the City Society of the Central Committee of Rijeka, Petra Šuljić, says that she is very grateful to them for that.
Volunteers and Red Cross staff regularly go to the affected areas. Mrs. Vesna returned from Petrinja. Full of impressions and emotions, she spoke about the people who have been left without their homes. Everyone works, everyone is on the move, but they are modest, says Vesna Vidović, director of the Red Cross of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.
Help continues to arrive regularly, thanks to good people with big hearts, concludes HRT.
Recall, last week, Jadrolinija announced vehicles transporting humanitarian aid for the earthquake-stricken area, vehicles of services and volunteers who help, and people from the affected areas who travel to the islands are exempted from purchasing travel tickets.
"Jadrolinija has decided to exempt the payment of travel tickets for vehicles participating in the transport of humanitarian aid, for vehicles of the Voluntary Fire Brigades (DVD), the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) and volunteers who go to help the earthquake-stricken area," the statement said.
All persons from the affected areas, who travel to the islands, receive free transport upon presenting an identity card. Jadrolinija reports that due to free transport records, it is necessary to submit the name of the organization, institution, association or name and surname, registration number, vehicle type, date of travel, and port of embarkation to the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary, and material aid, follow our dedicated section.
Cakovec Woman, 82, Dies of Heart Attack: Minister Beros - Unrelated to Vaccine
January 5, 2021 – Health Minister Vili Beroš stated that an older woman in Cakovec died of a heart attack the day after receiving the coronavirus vaccine. Beroš said she was negative for coronavirus and her death had nothing to do with the vaccine.
At today's press conference of the National Civil Protection Headquarters, Health Minister Vili Beroš said that an 82-year-old woman from a nursing home in Čakovec died on December 28, 2020, after receiving a coronavirus vaccine the day before. He explained the whole situation.
"After the vaccination on December 27, 2020 between 2 and 4 pm, the lady was checked and was in good condition. The next morning, on December 28, the epidemiologist checked her condition through the head nurse at the nursing home, which was also good. Sometime around 5 pm that day, the lady's clinical condition worsened. An ambulance was called, but the woman died an hour later in the nursing home," said Beroš.
According to the autopsy findings, the patient was negative for coronavirus. She died of cardiac decompensation, i.e., heart failure. The patient was a chronic patient. She had asthma and a probe, a tube that is inserted through the nose for feeding. The patient was lying down and could not walk.
Due to her health condition, especially asthma, the epidemiologist estimated that the person needed to be vaccinated, and she died of a heart attack a day later.
"The Commission in the Ministry of Health has not proven that the cause of death was related to vaccination. Suppose our most vulnerable people are vaccinated, which will sometimes mean patients with high comorbidity. In that case, it is always possible (as has already happened in the world and some neighboring countries) that someone will die without it being related to vaccination," Beroš said.
This event has been reported to the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices HALMED, as a potential suspicious side effect and will be further evaluated. However, the Commission at the Ministry of Health considers that the patient's death is not related to the coronavirus vaccination.
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Naša in NASA: How Croatia Will Travel To Mars in 2021
January 5, 2020 – In a recent interview, a member of a NASA team whose family heritage is Croatian, detailed how her current project will go to Mars in 2021
Croatians are not ones for invading other countries, let alone other planets. Although, that reputation doesn't take into consideration the can-do attitude of the Croatian diaspora.
It is by the hands of one member of the country's diaspora that Croatia will go to Mars in 2021. Sarah M. Milkovich is a planetary geologist of Croatian descent who works at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her family is originally from a small village near the border with Slovenia. In an interview conducted over recent days by Vecernji List's Zoran Vitas, Milkovich detailed that the project she is working on right now is a vehicle that will this year visit Mars.
Sarah M. Milkovich
“I am currently working on the Perseverance rover that will land on Mars in 2021,” she told Vitas. “I’ve been working on Perseverance since 2013 including devising ways to collaborate between scientists and designers in terms of planning what the rover will do on the surface of Mars every day.”
“Perseverance will explore a location on Mars where we think a billion years ago a river flowed and formed a lake," said Milkovich, who was also interviewed by TCN's Iva Tatic in summer 2020. "Rivers and lakes on Mars disappeared long ago, so today Mars is an extremely cold and dry planet.”
“The shapes of the surface and the chemical composition of the rocks that we observed from a spacecraft in orbit and from previous rovers and landers on Mars tell us that a billion years ago, Mars was warmer and had adequate conditions to support life,” she went on to say to Mr Vitas. “With Perseverance, we intend to look in these rocks for evidence of ancient bacterial life. This will be very difficult, so we will also collect and store rock samples that we will leave on the surface. The intention is to make a joint mission of NASA and ESA to bring these samples to Earth (in order) to study them.”
Minister Announces Reconstruction of Roads, Railway Station in Sisak
ZAGREB, 5 January 2021 - Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butkovic on Tuesday visited the Sisak Railway Station and the Brest bridge over the Kupa River at Petrinja, announcing the reconstruction of the two facilities most heavily damaged in a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the area on December 29.
"The total damage to state roads has been estimated at around HRK 70 million, and repair work will start urgently... Damage to county roads has been estimated at some HRK 20 million and those funds will be secured through the Croatian Roads company. As for local and unclassified roads, we will ask the towns and municipalities in whose remit they are to send us damage estimates so that we can help," Butkovic said.
As for the Sisak Railway Station, which has been damaged in the earthquake, it is a cultural monument and its restoration will be agreed with the Culture Ministry, it was said.
The railway line did not sustain any major damage and traffic is proceeding according to schedule, Butkovic said, noting that the road toll on the Zagreb-Sisak highway was not being collected to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The minister noted that there had been a lot of problems with telecommunications infrastructure in the area but that telecommunications operators had boosted wireless Internet speeds to help normalise the situation as soon as possible.
The boosted signal should thus help make rural and border areas, where the phone signal has normally been weak, easier to reach.
