In the last 24 hours, 1,963 new coronavirus cases have been registered and 18 people have died from COVID-19 in Slovenia, its Health Ministry said on Saturday.

Both figures are records. Since the start of the epidemic, Slovenia has confirmed 21,276 coronavirus cases, of which 13,023 are currently active. At the moment, 449 patients are hospitalised, including 63 in intensive care.

To date, 234 patients have died and the number of cases per 100,000 in the last 14 days is 449, making Slovenia one of the most endangered countries in the EU.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed that Minister Anze Logar tested positive, so he and the associates he was in contact with are isolating for the next ten days.

A lockdown is in force in Slovenia as of today and it will last at least a week, after which the restrictions could be revised, depending on the situation.

As of midnight, all shops are closed except those selling food and the basic necessities. Bars, restaurants, hairdressing and beauty salons, spas, swimming pools, gyms, cinemas, car washes etc. are closed.

Slovenians cannot leave their region of residence, education is held online, a third of the transport has been suspended, and kindergartens will not work as of Monday.

Recently, the number of new infections has been doubling every five to six days.

If hospitals can receive no more COVID patients, they could be placed in hotels, but the problem is the medical staff shortage.