Slovenia has reported 6,918 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, down from the record 7,420 cases on Wednesday but about 50 per cent more than a week ago, and the government is considering shortening the duration of quarantine and other possible steps.

The Chamber of Commerce has warned that the spread of the Omicron variant of the virus is threatening work processes as many workers have to stay at home in isolation because of the infection or in quarantine because of risky contacts. It proposed that the quarantine period be shortened from the present seven days to five days and that persons exiting quarantine should present a negative Covid test.

Local media said health authorities and the government were inclined to this solution and that it might come into force already next week if approved by the government.

The National Institute of Public Health said on Friday that of 13,881 tests done in the last 24 hours 6,918 had returned positive, or 50.6 per cent.

The seven-day average of new cases is 5,249 and the 14-day incidence has increased to 2,640 per 100,000 population. Currently, there are about 55,000 active cases in the country.

A total of 524 infected persons are being treated in hospitals, of whom 155 are in intensive care, and six people have died in the last 24 hours.