Last week, there was an increase in the number of newly confirmed coronavirus infections in Slovenia, which is worrying, according to dr. Mateja Logar, head of the covid-19 advisory group and infectiologist. “The share of positive PCR tests has started to increase again, which means that the virus is still among us,” she said, stressing that we still need to follow all recommendations in order to curb the spread of the infection, so we can further lift the measures. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Public Health and the Ministry of Health are preparing a new web application that will make the process of registration for the vaccination much easier.
Head of the covid-19 advisory group, infectiologist Mateja Logar, has said that in hospitals, the people are currently walking on the edge. The problem is not just the number of beds but also the increase of medical absences of the healthcare workers due to exhaustion. Regarding the additional lifting of measures related to larger organised events, the advisory group believes that large gatherings could be made possible for those who have already been vaccinated, have already recovered from the coronavirus infection, or have been tested, most likely in limited numbers. And the protective masks will probably remain a part of our lives for a while longer. “Many global health organisations have started issuing recommendations regarding the wearing of masks for those who have already been vaccinated. Certain lifting of measures is possible here. Thus, vaccinated people can socialise indoors, without masks, while masks also remain mandatory for vaccinated people at larger events and venues,” Logar said. In Slovenia, we could start talking about the organising of larger events when we reach a high enough vaccination rate.
With the introduction of a new web application for registering for vaccination, anyone will be able to apply for vaccination, so there will be no more restrictions by age groups. Anyone who is interested in getting vaccinated will be able to do so, Logar announced. More details on this are expected at the presentation of the web application, which will most likely happen later this week, provided there are no additional complications. The National Institute of Public Health (Nacionalni inštitut za javno zdravje – NIJZ) and the Ministry of Health are testing out a new web application for ordering the vaccinations as well. This app should also fix the duplication issue. “The system will contain data on all those who have already been vaccinated, as well as all those who are still waiting to get vaccinated,” she explained. Slovenia is also trying to reach an agreement with neighbouring countries to allow those vaccinated with only one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to be able to cross the border freely three weeks after being vaccinated. As she explained, after getting vaccinated with the first dose of AstraZeneca, significantly stronger immune response and protection are formed than after a single dose of the vaccine from the manufacturers Pfizer and BioNTech or Moderna.
It is encouraging that we have had less than 10 thousand active cases ever since the 27th of April
On Sunday, 1,380 tests were performed in Slovenia, of which 209 tests were positive, which is 15.1 percent. 608 people were hospitalised, 147 patients needed intensive care. 19 people were discharged from the hospitals, and six people died. The 7-day average was 661 confirmed infections. “It is encouraging that we now have less than 10 thousand active cases since the 27th of April – for the first time since the 20th of October. Thank you to everyone who is adhering to the measures,” dr. Logar said.
Sara Bertoncelj
