Over the past 24 hours, Slovenian authorities have confirmed 304 coronavirus infections after 3,821 tests done as well as 11 fatalities, but the government and scientists are skeptical about a more extensive easing of current epidemiological restrictions.

The epidemic has started waning slightly but the weekly average of infections confirmed on a daily basis is still at 1,025 while to put the epidemic under control that number should fall to below 300, according to the latest estimate by the Jozef Stefan research institute which makes estimates and models of epidemic development for the government.

According to the institute, with the current rate, the number of daily infections could fall to below 300 only at the end of March, and the effect of vaccination against COVID-19 will be more felt only after at least 10% of the population or more than 200,000 people are vaccinated, a goal that is still far away.

New strains could become dominant in May

New strains of the novel virus pose an additional risk since the presence of the UK variant has already been confirmed in the country and the appearance of others is likely.

Scientists estimate that the new strains could become dominant in May.

Jelko Kacin, until recently the government spokesman for COVID-19 and now the state secretary at Prime Minister Janez Jansa’s office in charge of coordinating the vaccination process, has said that the government plans to vaccinate 70% of the population by summer.

Kacin remains reserved about pressure to revoke the current epidemiological restrictions and notes that it is only a matter of time when the new virus strains will appear in Slovenia.

Many countries with a better epidemiological situation than Slovenia’s have prolonged restrictions until mid-February, he has said in a comment on proposals that primary and secondary schools resume physical classes.

Currently, schools conduct face-to-face classes for the first three grades of primary school.

Shops that sell products other than food and have an area of less than 400 square metres have reopened while a ban on movement outside one’s place of residence is still in force.