A total of 1,863 new Covid-19 cases have been identified in Slovenia in the last 24 hours, the number of new cases has been rising for the third consecutive day but the number of hospitalisations has not, however, epidemiologists expect pressure on hospitals to increase in January.

A total of 5,948 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours and one in three were positive, the country’s public health institute said.

The number of new infections is around 600 higher than a week ago, and also growing is the 14-day incidence, which is now at 784 per 100,000 population.

There are 572 people in hospitals, including 189 in intensive care. Although the number of people in intensive care has stayed stable, there are warnings that that will soon change with the spread of the Omicron variant in early 2022.

Ten Covid-19 patients have died in the last 24 hours, which puts the death toll at 5,576.

Vaccination is still slow in Slovenia, with primary doses having been administered to 56.4% of the population while more than 450,000 people have received a booster dose.

Restrictions that were in force for Christmas will also be in force for the New Year holidays, gatherings will be allowed for members of a maximum three households, and hospitality establishments will serve guests who comply with epidemiological rules and have Covid certificates.

Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Jankovic has said that despite epidemiologists’ reservations, a five-minute fireworks display will be staged in Ljubljana on New Year’s Eve. He believes this will not worsen the epidemiological situation in the capital.