Slovenian health authorities said on Wednesday that 4,276 new coronavirus cases and 17 related deaths were registered in the past 24 hours, adding that the epidemiological situation in the country continued to deteriorate and that new measures were necessary.

The test positivity rate is 42.6 percent — of 10,046 tests, 4,276 came back positive.

Health authorities said that the peak of the disease spreading in this wave is expected mid-next week. More people will be hospitalised and epidemiologists are expected to propose new measures to the government later today.

Slovenian hospitals are running almost above capacity with Covid patients.

The 7-day average of infections in a single day has increased to 3,270, while the 14-day incidence rate has reached 2,195.

This month alone 230 patients died of Covid-related complications, while a total of 4,975 people have died since the start of the pandemic, according to figures provided by the health ministry.