Over the past 24 hours 2,632 tests were performed in Slovenia, and 47 percent, or almost every second test, returned positive, confirming 1,257 new coronavirus infections and breaking yesterday's record test positivity rate of 42.1 percent, the National Institute of Public Health said on Monday.

The increasing percentage of positive tests speaks of the seriousness of the situation and the high prevalence of the virus in the population, epidemiologists say.

The number of active cases in Slovenia has reached 28,575 and the 14-day incidence rate is at 1,356.

There are 603 Covid patients in hospitals, and ten patients have died over the past 24 hours, according to the latest data from the health ministry.

Last week, government representatives warned several times that due to the strain on the hospital system, new restrictive measures, including a partial lockdown, would be necessary when the number of Covid patients in intensive care units exceeds 180.

There are currently 146 patients in intensive care, so hospitals could surpass that limit at the end of this or the beginning of next week.

Also, as of today, slightly stricter measures are in place in Slovenia, so all employees in health and social welfare institutions will have to be tested for coronavirus regularly.

Also, students at primary and secondary schools will be tested twice a week, rules for wearing face masks have been tightened, and customers in cafes will have to have a Covid certificate.