A record high new 318 daily cases of the infection with coronavirus were reported in Slovenia on Tuesday, the highest number recorded in one day since early June.

Hospitalisation numbers have started to grow, too, and epidemiologists are warning this signals the beginning of the fourth wave of the epidemic in the country.

Slovenia’s seven-day incidence rate has risen to 204, while the current 14-day incidence is 109.7.

Currently, 49 COVID patients are receiving hospital treatment, 11 of them in intensive care wards.

A week ago, 36 patients were hospitalised with the virus.

In the last 24 hours, no COVID-related deaths have been reported. The share of the positive tests has been 15.5%.

The local authorities have announced testing of secondary school pupils and of pupils of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade of elementary schools.