Of a total of 7,471 tests, 2,605 were positive on Tuesday. The proportion of positive tests was 35 per cent. Some 612 people are being treated, of whom 99 require intensive care. Seven patients died in hospitals. The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants increased to 872.

The Gorenjska region has been affected the most; specific numbers of cases per municipality are 84 in Kranj, 71 in Radovljica, 70 in Jesenice, 49 in Škofja Loka, 22 in Bled, 11 in Bohinj, 69 in Domžale, 62 in Kamnik and 42 in Medvode. The number of new cases in large towns is as follows: 76 in Novo mesto, 80 in Celje, 58 in Slovenska Bistrica, 47 in Murska Sobota, 64 in Šentjur, 43 in Velenje, 32 in Brežice and 30 in Črnomelj. Some 305 new cases were determined in Ljubljana.

Dr Rozman made assurances that each hospital was trying to increase their capacities, and he asked the citizens to internalise the epidemiological situation and become aware of its severity and thus help the health system to treat everyone in need of treatment. He also called on individuals who do not believe in the virus to start believing as disbelief is resulting in people being treated in intensive care units and many dying.

The new testing recommendations highlight the testing of patients with distinct symptoms who could potentially require treatment, staff in retirement homes and health workers in hospitals. The recommendations also highlight encouraging citizens to self-isolate immediately after noticing individual cold symptoms. The new recommendations thus combine the application of PCR tests and rapid antigen tests in connection with testing purposes.

On the occasion of the upcoming holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Archbishop Zore asked citizens to abandon the traditional visiting of graves and socialising with relatives. He proposed that they individually or with their family members only visit graves in their parish or municipality and pray there for the deceased. Whereby measures to avoid socialising, visiting other households or crossing the municipal border should be observed.

Government spokesperson Jelko Kacin said that the Government and the expert group would convene on Thursday evening, and that EU leaders would also speak about the situation on managing the epidemic via a video conference during the day. With regard to the increased scope of testing and subsequent processing in laboratories, the period of waiting for results is extending. Kacin also stressed that people must self-isolate while waiting for the results.