Slovenia continues posting record-high numbers of new coronavirus cases as the renewed surge, fueled by the more contagious Omicron variant of the virus, is increasingly straining the country's hospitals.

In some hospitals as many as 20 percent of staff are reportedly on sick leave, with testing laboratories facing the same problem, a senior official at the Health Ministry, Robert Carotta, said on Thursday.

Over the last 24 hours 14,206 new cases have been confirmed, Slovenia’s national health institute said in their daily report. Although high, the number was still somewhat lower compared to Wednesday, when a record-high of 17,500 cases were registered.

The seven-day daily caseload average has now increased to 12,415, and the 14-day incidence rate to 6,815 per 100,000 people. Around 57.3 percent of the country’s total population of 2.1 million have been fully vaccinated so far.

Health authorities said another 12 Covid-related deaths were registered over the last 24 hours, with Slovenia’s total death toll to date now increasing to 5,825.