Serbian doctors say coronavirus 'catastrophic'

Some 350 Serbian doctors demanded the resignation of a government-appointed team fighting the coronavirus, describing the health situation in the Balkan state as "catastrophic".

After loosening lockdown restrictions, Serbia has seen a spike in coronavirus infections, with more than 21,600 coronavirus cases and a total of 491 deaths.

In an open letter entitled “United Against Covid,” first carried by the independent N1 television on Tuesday, the doctors said it was their moral and professional obligation to demand an independent investigation into the work of the state team.

The probe would include possible cover-up in the real number of coronavirus cases and deaths that have been declared by the team, and possible political influence on its decisions ahead of an election.

The letter said that a complete lifting of anti-coronavirus measures weeks ahead of the June 21 parliamentary election, when mass gatherings without social distancing were allowed, led to the “loss of control over the epidemic situation” in the country.

The letter demanded a procedure to recount the real number of deaths and cases during the pandemic and demanded "professional and other responsibility" for all those involved in the possible coverup.