A total of 1,253 new coronavirus infections have been confirmed in Slovenia in the past 24 hours, another increase compared to the day before, which has prompted the government to consider the introduction of new restrictions already next week instead of after 1 April.

The epidemiological situation has continued to deteriorate and the options currently considered include a complete, 14-day lockdown.

According to unofficial reports, it is almost certain that some shops and establishments will be ordered to close next week.

One of the proposals to be discussed by the government on Sunday is a ban on movement restricting movement to the area close to one’s place of residence. The ban would not apply to travel to and from work and the purchase of food and medicines.

In the past 24 hours, three people have died as a consequence of the infection.

The latest statistics show that the weekly average of new infections in a single day has risen to 932, and if the trend continues, next week it could go up to 1,000 or more, which means that Slovenia would again be on the red list and would have to introduce tighter restrictions.

The number of active cases stands at 12,184 and the number of daily infections has increased by 22% from the previous week.

The situation in hospitals has not deteriorated compared to Friday, with 497 hospitalised COVID-19 patients, three fewer than on Friday. A total of 107 people are being treated in intensive care units, but the number of younger people among those patients has been rising.