27,720 rapid antigen tests and 6,979 PCR tests were conducted on Tuesday. The number of new confirmed positive COVID cases was 1,288. This is the highest daily number of confirmed cases since February 9, when the number was 1,336.

The following municipalities stand out in terms of positive cases confirmed yesterday: Brezovica (21), Domžale (21), Kamnik (25), Mengeš (10), Gorenja vas-Poljane (16), Jesenice (19), Kranj (24), Škofja Loka (17), Celje (45), Velenje (33), Žalec (25), Koper (53), Piran (25), Nova Gorica (41), Sežana (16), Novo mesto (27), Ljubljana (154) and Maribor (39).

500 patients need hospital treatment, while 99 patients – three more than yesterday – are in intensive care. 9 persons died. According to the NIPH, there are 11,191 active cases in Slovenia at the moment. According to the data published by the NIPH, the 7-day daily average of confirmed cases rose to 855 (from 829 yesterday).

Epidemiologist Grilc warned that Europe is becoming a very significant hotspot of new positive COVID cases. 20 EU Member States report an increased incidence of positive cases, 15 countries an increased number of hospitalised patients, and 8 countries an increased mortality rate. According to the 14-day cumulative incidence per 100,000 people in the ninth and tenth weeks of the year, the EU Member States rank as follows: the Czech Republic (1518), Estonia (1464), Hungary (934), Malta (693), Sweden (545), Poland (542), Slovakia (531), Cyprus (556), Italy (499) and Slovenia, which ranks tenth with 489 positive cases. Yesterday, the 14-day incidence in the country rose to 531.

The average share of positive PCR tests has increased again in the last 8 days and currently stands at 18.5 percent. Data on new positive cases among the residents of various nursing homes and homes for the elderly: after the positive case curve flattened considerably in January and February, it has remained at the same level in the last few weeks, which raises concern. Regarding the number of positive cases in children and adolescents, the situation is stable in preschool children, while slight growth has been recorded in primary and secondary school students. The numbers are also worse for all teaching staff, from pre-school education to secondary schools.

According to Ramovš, the epidemic has increased social loneliness and homes for the elderly have been a vulnerable spot during the epidemic, so the recovery plan for Europe presents an opportunity for two thirds of municipalities without a home for the elderly to acquire one in the coming years.