After three weeks since more stringent epidemiological measures were introduced in Varazdin County, the seven-day incidence rate of new coronavirus infections has decreased by more than 10% and preliminary antigen tests in local companies have revealed a rate of 2.9% of infections.

The head of Varazdin’s civil protection authority, Robert Vugrin, told a press conference on Friday that in the pat 24 hours Varazdin County had registered 206 new cases of coronavirus and that 589 tests had been conducted. He said that there was a continuing decline in the share of positive cases in the number of tests taken, which in the past 24 hours was 35%.

Over the past week Varazdin County has registered 1,737 new cases of coronavirus and the seven-day incidence rate is 1,042 per 100,000 people.

There are currently 267 patients in a serious condition in Varazdin general hospital, 222 patients are in intensive care and 20 are on ventilators. Five people died as a consequence of COVID -19 in the past 24 hours.

Vugrin said that the results were visible after more stringent epidemiological measures were introduced in the county.

He explained that in the first 11 days after the measures were introduced the numbers continued to grow and nine days later a mild decline was recorded. He added that the 7-day incidence rate on 1 December was 1,169.

“Today that number is 1,042, hence it is obvious that we have recorded a fall of more than 10 per cent in the past nine days,” Vugrin underlined.

County Prefect Radimir Cacic said that had the measures not been introduced the county would still have an increasing number of infections.