ZAGREB, October 22, 2020 - Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said on Thursday that the authorities were preparing additional beds in makeshift facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, following a surge in the number of daily cases of the coronavirus infection.

For this purpose, Zagreb's Arena Centre, Split's Spaladium hall, Rijeka's Dvorana Mladosti venue as well as similar locations in Varazdin and Osijek have been selected for installing a total of 2,360 beds, if necessary.

Bozinovic informed the government that those capacities could be prepared to take in COVID-19 patients within 48 hours.

He also called on the Croatians to avoid all the uneccesary contacts so as to help efforts to curb the infection.

ZAGREB, October 22, 2020 - A total of 1,563 new coronavirus cases and 13 related deaths have been confirmed in Croatia in the last 24 hours, the national coronavirus response team reported on Thursday morning. 

This is the largest single-day number of new infections and deaths since the start of the epidemic in the country.

The current number of active cases is 7,380. Among those infected, 661 are receiving hospital treatment for COVID-19 and 46 of them are on ventilators.

Since February 25, when the first cases was confirmed in Croatia, 29,850 people have contracted the novel virus, 406 of them have died and 22,064 have recovered, including 629 in the last 24 hours.

Currently, 25,620 people are in self-isolation. To date, 418,821 coronavirus tests have been performed, including 6,874 in the last 24 hours.

October 22, 2020 - As coronavirus cases rise in Croatia, Health Minister Vili Beros says introducing a curfew is the last resort.

Index.hr reports that Health Minister Vili Beros warned on Wednesday that the number of newly infected is higher than ever and announced that possibly introducing some previous measures will be decided in a few more days.

"If there are no positive developments, it is quite certain that we will introduce some additional, but balanced measures that will primarily refer to the restriction of gatherings," Beros said. He reiterated that citizens could contribute to preventing the spread of the virus through responsible behavior.

"We are the best cure for this pandemic if we respect the measures. Only then can we expect the number of infected to slow down. However, I must say that the virus is spreading horizontally, radiantly among the population. Therefore, we need to be more careful than ever," he said.

He even told reporters that they were too close to each other.

"And you are too close to each other, even though you have masks on and we are outside," Beros said.

When asked about introducing a curfew, Beros answered that some countries had introduced a curfew but that he did not want to give an affirmative answer now. He pointed out that a curfew is the last thing he will introduce if necessary, adding several other measures that can be taken before that.

The head of the National Civil Protection Headquarters, Davor Bozinovic, said on Wednesday that in a situation where the number of people infected is growing, they would focus mostly on punishing all behaviors that are not in line with epidemiological measures, especially legal entities.

During his visit to Jastrebarsko, Bozinovic told reporters that there would be no need for additional activities to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection if the measures already adopted were applied as intended, negotiated, and ultimately prescribed.

"We are monitoring the situation; the numbers are growing, the numbers are growing outside Croatia," said Bozinovic, emphasizing that they will mostly concentrate on prescribed measures, especially the obligations of legal entities that organize events or engage in economic activity with fluctuating people.

In doing so, he said, they will be aimed at sanctioning all behaviors that are not in line with epidemiological measures.

He claimed that they had made a great effort, including the Croatian Institute of Public Health, which made detailed recommendations for all economic and social activities to not close.

"It is an effort that has been translated into concrete recommendations of the Headquarters," said Bozinovic, calling on all citizens to adhere to these measures because it is the only way to slow down the spread of the virus in Croatia.

He emphasized that citizens should refrain from large gatherings, private parties, and meetings as long as the epidemic lasts.

He noted that they prescribe measures for public events, while what happens in homes cannot and should not be controlled. However, he warned that it is in these circumstances that citizens relax the most, which is why the virus spreads when they return to their home or go to work.

"This is not a big philosophy. In practice, it is not comfortable or easy to wear a mask when we cannot maintain physical distance, but it is not so difficult as long as it is the only way to overcome the crisis," he said.

He pointed out that the headquarters can make decisions, and epidemiologists prescribe recommendations, but nothing will be achieved if the citizens do not accept it.

Bozinovic announced the intensified inspections aimed at irresponsible behavior, explaining that the facilities' organizers and owners will be sanctioned if the measures are not adhered to in their facility and stated that a 30 thousand kuna fine is prescribed for dancing in clubs.

To read more about coronavirus in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, Oct 21, 2020 - Over the past 24 hours, Croatia has registered a record high of 1,424 new coronavirus infections and there have been 11 deaths, the national COVID-19 response team said on Wednesday.

Currently, 622 COVID patients are being treated in hospitals, and 38 of them are on ventilators. The number of active cases stands at 6,459, and there are 24,242 people in self-isolation.

Since February 25, when Croatia registered its first case of the infection, 28,287 people have contracted coronavirus, 393 of them have died, and 21,435 have recovered, including 473 in the last 24 hours.

To date, 411,947 people have been tested for the virus, including 8,255 over the past 24 hours.

This is the third time in a week that the number of single-day cases has exceeded one thousand.

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October 20, 2020 - In an interview on Monday evening, Krunoslav Capak announced measures that could be introduced next in Croatia if citizens do not adhere to the measures already in place.

The director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health and a member of the National Civil Protection Headquarter Krunoslav Capak, spoke about a plan for the worst-case scenario and what would happen if there were not enough doctors and nurses to replace the infected health workers.

In an interview with Dnevnik Nova TV, Capak said:

"Although we do not expect such a scenario and we hope that it will never happen, we are preparing for it. We have more than 1,100 intensive care physicians who can work on ventilators and intensive care for COVID patients and flu patients.

However, we are also preparing for the scenario that other colleagues who are close to the profession will be educated and can learn the basics of intensive care relatively quickly. This also happened during the Homeland War," Capak explained. He added that young doctors were taking emergency courses at the time.

"The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with hospitals, will prepare such courses, but we hope that this will not happen," he said.

When asked how many newly infected patients Croatian hospitals can handle before the worst-case scenario, Capak said that we are "far from completely filling the health care system."

He also revealed that he is not considering the introduction of a curfew.

"We have not talked about it so far, nor do we plan to introduce it," said the Croatian Institute of Public Health director.

He says he does not think a new lockdown is needed, but it is necessary "for people to stick to the measures".

"There are a number of other possibilities. Further shortening of working hours, reducing the number of gatherings, even in families," he said and pointed out that it seems to him that Croatia is among the most liberal countries in Europe.

To read more about coronavirus in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, October 19, 2020 - A total of 393 new coronavirus cases and 11 related deaths have been recorded in Croatia in the last 24 hours, the national coronavirus response team reported on Monday morning.

The number of active cases currently stands at 5,070. Among them are 571 people who are receiving hospital treatment and 35 of them are on ventilators.

Since February 25, when the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Croatia, 25,973 people have contracted the novel virus, of whom 374 have died and 20,529 have recovered, including 476 in the last 24 hours. A total of 21,329 people are currently in self-isolation.

To date, 400,636 people have been tested for coronavirus, including 3,636 in the last 24 hours.

ZAGREB, October 18, 2020 - Over the past 24 hours, there have 819 new cases of the coronavirus infection in Croatia and eight fatalities, and the number of active cases now stands at 5,164, the national COVID-19 response team said on Sunday.

There are 548 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, including 32 who are on ventilators.

Since February 25, when the first case was confirmed in Croatia, 25,580 people have contracted the novel virus, 363 of them have died and 20,053 have recovered, including 491 over the past 24 hours.

Currently, 21,148 people are self-isolating.

To date, 397,000 people have been tested for coronavirus, 4,948 of whom in the last 24 hours.

ZAGREB, October 17, 2020 - A total of 1,096 new coronavirus cases and 10 related deaths have been registered in Croatia in the last 24 hours, the national coronavirus response team reported on Saturday.

The number of active cases is 4,844 and 530 of them are hospitalised, including 28 who are on ventilators, while 20,389 people are currently in self-isolation.

Since February 25, when the first case was confirmed in Croatia, 24,761 people have contracted the novel virus, of whom 355 have died and 19,562 have recovered, including 475 in the last 24 hours.

A total of 392,052 people have been tested to date, including 6,980 in the last 24 hours.

ZAGREB, October 16, 2020 - Health Minister Vili Beros said on Friday that Croatia had a serious increase in new COVID-19 cases and called on citizens to act seriously otherwise the virus would control their lives.

"Today the number of new infections for the first time has exceeded one thousand. The virus is spreading to the health system, retirement homes and is a serious threat all around. It is high time we took matters into our own hands. If we give up on personal responsibility, the virus will control our lives," Beros said and called on the citizens to adhere to epidemiological measures.

The measures are not a punishment, the minister said, addressing the public together with Croatian Public Health Institute head Krunoslav Capak regarding the record high number of 1,131 new coronavirus infections in Croatia.

Over the past 24 hours, 117 patients have been admitted to hospital, and three people died yesterday, Beros said.

He said that the health system was still functioning.

"Our goal is not to shut down economy, but to find a way to coexist with the virus," the minister said.

Capak: Worrying increase in infections

Capak said that there was a serious and worrying increase in the number of new infections, although there were no particular hotspots.

"We call on the citizens to accept the measures we have adopted this week and to act responsibly because that is the only way we can stop the increase," Capak said.

He added that introducing new epidemiological measures was not being considered at the moment, as they were waiting for the recently adopted measures to take effect. However, there is still room to tighten the measures.

Arena hall and other facilities to be put into operation

Ivica Luksic from Zagreb's KB Dubrava hospital said that KB Dubrava was becoming increasingly filled with patients, while Zagreb's "Dr Fran Mihaljevic" infectious diseases hospital was filled to capacity, but the number of patients requiring intensive care had not increased significantly.

We are keeping things under control, but we as a society have to be serious and protect the health system, Luksic said.

According to Beros, the health system should be able to meet the needs, and he noted that there are 917 intensive care specialists and residents, 14,460 hospital beds, 800 ventilators and about 1,450 beds in intensive care units.

Plans are underway to put additional facilities, including the Arena hall in Zagreb, into operation if the number of COVID patients continues to grow.

"If the health system becomes overburdened, there will be problems with treating all patients," the minister said.

ZAGREB, October 16, 2020 - Of 5,693 tests performed in Croatia for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, a record high 1,131 returned positive, and one related death has been reported, according to a press release issued by the national coronavirus response team on Friday.

Currently, there are 4,233 active cases in the country and 505 of them are hospitalised, including 24 who are on ventilators.

Since February 25, when the first case was confirmed in Croatia, 23,665 people have contracted the novel virus, 345 of them have died and 19,087 have recovered, including 459 in the last 24 hours.

Currently, 17,242 people are in self-isolation.

A total of 385,072 people have been tested for coronavirus to date.