After Bosnia's Republika Srpska (RS) region reported 25 new COVID-19 cases and one fatality on its territory Saturday morning, later the same day another half of the country, the Federation (FBiH), confirmed that 13 new patients were infected with the novel coronavirus and one died, bringing the country's tally to 617 infected and 19 dead.

Addressing the regular daily press conference, the minister said that 316 citizens were tested and 25 turned out positive – 14 from the RS largest city Banja Luka, six from Sipovo, three from Laktasi and one each from Ribnik and Teslic.

One patient fully recovered, he said.

Meanwhile, an elderly COVID-19 patient who was treated at the University Clinical Centre in Banja Luka and who suffered from several other chronic disorders passed away.

Banja Luka remains the hotspot in whole Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 172 patients who have contracted this disease.

Of 13 new patients that the Federation entity confirmed on Saturday, nine were recorded in Herzegovina region, one each in Bihac, Ilidza, Tuzla and Livno.

A 61-year-old man from Konjic, who was critically ill and connected to a respirator since the moment he was hospitalised, passed away Saturday morning at the Mostar clinical centre.

Among the new confirmed cases in the FBiH is a Bosnia’s Armed Forces member, who recently returned from Banja Luka. He is also the first confirmed patient in the southwestern town of Livno.

In a brief statement on her Facebook page, Sebija Izetbegovic, Sarajevo University Clinical Centre general manager, said the situation was extremely serious but that there was no room for panic.

Also, speaking to N1, assistant FBiH health minister Goran Cerkez said Bosnia is yet to see the increase in the number of COVID-19 patients but that the situation is under control.