Central-Bosnian city of Maglaj has confirmed 71 new cases since April 12 and 492 persons have been put in isolation, the authorities said on Tuesday.

Following the first case of Covid-19, the day after the number rose to seven, and then to 13. By April 18, that number was 38. Currently, it stands at 71.

Because of everything that has been happening in this town, Health Minister of Zenica-Doboj Canton, where the town is located, Adnan Jupic and head of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at the cantonal hospital, Ednan Drljevic, visited the Maglaj Health Centre.

“The patients are employees of large companies where a large number of people must work near one another, and that's how it spread. One company has already ceased production and the other one is awaiting test results of all its employees,” Maglaj Mayor Mirsad Mahmutagic said adding that They Do not know who the patient zero is in this town, but that epidemiologists are working on isolating the disease.

What is specific about Maglaj is that all the patients come from only two companies HM Promer and Bontex, Health Minister Jupic said, adding that now the authorities must investigate whether the companies respected the instructions and labour manual on how to maintain production.