bne IntelliNews – Sudden increase in coronavirus infections in Croatia and Slovenia
In recent days, there has been a sudden increase in coronavirus infections (COVID-19) in Croatia and Slovenia. In Croatia, which has a population of just over 4 million, the number of new cases exceeded 3,500 per day, while in Slovenia it is 1,500 with a population of 2 million.
The sharp increase in infections is coming despite higher vaccination rates in both countries than in other Southeast European countries. – the population of EU member states Bulgaria and Romania are the least vaccinated in the bloc and both countries are suffering from a devastating new wave of pandemics. In both Croatia and Slovenia, new cases are still below the highest values recorded in the autumn wave of the 2020 pandemic.
In Croatia, Health Minister Vili Beros announced at a government session last week that the number of cases had increased by 56 percent compared to the week before. By October 20, 939 people had been hospitalized, another strong increase, including 131 on respirators.
“An increase in the number of new infections by 56 percent compared to last Wednesday requires an additional, much-needed dose of caution,” Beros said, according to a government statement.
Daily new coronavirus infections in Croatia. Source: WHO Europe.
The Minister of Health also pointed out that 70.8% of patients in the hospital were either not vaccinated or received only one dose. The same is true for 86% of those on respirators.
Currently, 55.38% of the adult population of Croatia is vaccinated, of which 73% are health workers.
The main social measure to contain the virus in Croatia is the requirement to wear face masks in public enclosed spaces such as shops, museums and public transport. Other requirements include a collection limit of up to 100 people.
Although the rules are clear, compliance and enforcement are mixed. In several Croatian cities and on intercity trains and bus transport, bne IntelliNews noticed that some people wore masks properly, some were without a mask, and others wore masks half-mast with their noses open or tucked under their chins. It was similar in shops, bars and restaurants.
On 21 October, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković drew attention to the growing number of new cases of coronavirus and called for vaccination and epidemiological measures.
“We have to take basic safeguards – wearing a face mask, maintaining distance, ventilating the premises and maintaining hand hygiene, “Plenković said at the government session, according to a government statement.
“The unvaccinated represent the pool where the virus spreads the most and where the most mutations occur. The fact is that the vaccinated can also transmit the virus, but this is less likely than among the unvaccinated, and in case of infection it is a disease. It is much milder,” he added.
In response to the sharp rise in new cases, Germany declared both Croatia and Bulgaria high-risk areas for coronavirus on 24 October, meaning that unvaccinated passengers from both countries must isolate themselves.
In Slovenia, the number of new cases reached a nine-month peak over the weekend, despite a 53% vaccination rate.
Daily new coronavirus infections in Slovenia. Source: WHO Europe.
Government efforts to force more people to vaccinate with COVID green card requirements for access to private services and for public sector employees have sparked resistance in recent weeks with several protests.
At the end of September, around 10,000 people gathered in Ljubljana. Police officers dissolved the protest with water cannons and tear, after some protesters in the police officers were throwing bottles and other objects. Since then, Prime Minister Janez Janša has blamed anti-vaxxers for the latest wave of pandemics in the country.