Slovenia on Wednesday reported 1,093 new coronavirus cases registered over the last 24 hours, the highest single-day number in nearly six months, with local health authorities warning again that the only way to avoid new restrictions was vaccination against Covid-19.

“I appeal to everyone to show solidarity and responsibility and get vaccinated. It is time for reason and for vaccination,” Health Minister, Janez Poklukar, said during a visit to one of the hospitals that admit Covid patients.

Out of 5,159 PCR tests conducted over the last 24 hours in the country, 1,093 returned positive results, translating to a positivity rate of 21 percent. Two more Covid patients have died, the Health Ministry said.

The number of new cases on Wednesday increased by 324 or 42 percent from Tuesday, to reach 1,093 – the highest daily case figure since 13 April when 1,236 new cases had been registered in a single day.

Currently 243 Covid patients are in hopital care, including 61 in intensive care units. Three quarters of all hospitalized Covid patients have not been vaccinated.

The 14-day incidence rate has now increased to 372 per 100,000 people, and the share of vaccinated people is increasing slowly. As of Wednesday, close to 44 percent of Slovenia’s 2.1 million population have been fully vaccinated.