Over the past 24 hours there have been 972 new coronavirus cases registered in Slovenia and three more deaths, health authorities reported. Experts are now warning that a new surge looks likely, and that anti-epidemic rules need to be strictly followed.

“The number of cases involving new virus strains is growing. The situation is serious, and it’s deteriorating, and we are probably facing a third wave of the epidemic,” the head of Slovenia’s institute for public health, Milan Krek, told a news conference on Thursday.

However, Krek said he was nevertheless optimistic that the peak of the upcoming wave could turn out to be milder than before, if Slovenians stick to the restrictions currently in place.

“I think that we are controlling the situation for now,” Krek said.

Krek warned that the disease seems to be increasing its hold over the past few weeks in across Europe. ”

“The situation in neighboring countries is not good, and Slovenia is not showing any signs of the situation improving,” Krek said.

Slovenia’s government reported that over the past 24 hours 5,442 tests were done, with 972 coming back positive – slightly down from Wednesday’s numbers.

However, the caseloads have increased compared to last week, and the average daily number of new cases is still high at 753.

There are currently 462 Covid patients in hospital care, including 85 in intensive care.