ZAGREB, 4 Jan 2022 - In the last 24 hours, 2,205 tests have been conducted for coronavirus in Split-Dalmatia County, and 59% or 1,302 have returned positive, the county's healthcare authorities reported on Tuesday.

Another seven COVID patients -- all of them aged above 80 and with underlying conditions -- have died in this Dalmatian county in the last 24 hours.

Currently, 198 COVID patients are receiving hospital treatment, and of them 41 are on ventilators.

Dr. Diana Nonković of the Split-based county epidemiological service said today that the authorities were braced for a further surge in COVID numbers in the next ten days due to the Omicron variant.

Nonković said that a majority of those infected with the Omicron variant are young people, however, the virus has also started spreading among higher age cohorts.

She confirmed that this was the beginning of the fifth wave, and according to the first indicators, the rate of its transmission is rather fast, which is why she expects this wave to last shorter.

The doctor called on local residents to avoid larger gatherings in January so that the county can go back to a calmer situation.

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November 12, 2020 - Drive-in COVID-19 testing at the Split port will soon begin, and rapid tests should soon arrive at the Institute of Public Health, the director of that institute, Zeljka Karin, announced.

Index.hr reports that there are about 900 patients a day being tested, and drive-in testing will soon open in the port of Split, which should relieve the queues at the hospital and the county's Public Health Teaching Institute. Split should receive rapid tests that will need to be validated first, she said, adding that these tests will be done in closed collectives where a quick result is important.

"These tests are valid for a person who has a strong clinical picture to see if it is positive. A negative result says nothing or is not relevant. We will use this where we have a large number of people with a clinical picture so we can immediately put all people in self-isolation," Karin explained.

She reiterated that residents of Split-Dalmatia County could order testing online or through a family doctor. Citizens can now be tested at the Split Clinical Hospital in Krizine and the Teaching Institute for Public Health, and in two weeks, the port of Split.

Apart from Split, testing is done in Vrgorac, Imotski, Makarska and Sinj, and on the islands of Hvar, Brac and Vis.

Regarding the county's epidemiological situation, the head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Dr. Ivo Ivic, said that the numbers they can handle are satisfactory and that the situation - if such a trend continues - can be well controlled. They have planned for many patients and can activate an additional 30 to 40 beds within one day.

"We have not yet filled the capacity, but we are ready for an additional increase. We currently have 170 beds; if necessary, we will expand within Krizine. The epidemic is no longer at the pace it has been in the previous two weeks. This can be seen by the number of new cases in the country. A plateau has been reached, and this is not because the virus has changed. We need to be aware of that," he said, adding that he believes the measures have paid off.

Regarding the new vaccine against coronavirus, Ivic said that it is great and that its effectiveness will be achieved only when enough people are vaccinated. He pointed out that in the next six months, we will do everything we can to protect, reduce gatherings, and prevent the spread of the virus wherever possible. When asked what he thinks about Advent events, he answered that it will be better to have fewer of them and that the measures should be strictly followed.

"It is impossible to stop life; a lockdown can be done once and never again. I mean, then it must really mean that we are preparing for a catastrophe," Ivic concluded.

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October 27, 2020 - How dreading getting tested turned into one of the most painless experiences in Croatia yet. My COVID-19 testing experience at KBC Split. 

We've all heard horror stories about COVID testing by now. From waiting in non-socially-distanced crowds for hours to despising the tickling sensation up their nose so much they wouldn't wish it upon their worst enemy - I have heard it all. 

To say I wasn't exactly eager to get my first COVID test today is a bit of an understatement. And the fact that I needed it to travel abroad when I haven't left my house in 3 weeks as the cases rose had me even more on edge. However, if I wanted to see my partner for the first time in 7 months in Barcelona on Thursday, I needed that negative test result ASAP. 

With plans to leave on Thursday (so long as the airline Gods are on my side), I called my doctor in Split on Monday morning, who referred me to the testing center at KBC Split (Križine) on Tuesday at 10:45 am, exactly 48 hours before I was to leave Split. My first hurdle - crossed - and easily, at that. 

But then I began to worry when I saw an article in the local media about lines for testing wrapping around the streets of KBC Split on Monday... (yikes). Dalmacija Danas also shared a photo of the line they witnessed today, just before my appointment, which they claimed was even BIGGER than yesterday (you can have a look HERE). 

Why would it be any different for me?

With ripping jugo winds and an 80% chance of rain in the forecast between 10-11 am on Tuesday, conveniently as I was to be waiting in line for testing, I was not looking forward to having a similar experience - and since I was on a strict timeframe, there was no room for error.

Once I mentally prepared for what would likely await me at the testing center, I arrived 15 minutes early, just in case. 

I made my way up the slight incline to the testing center at KBC Split at 10:30, and as the makeshift testing center came into view in the corner of my eye, I witnessed the unimaginable - no one. And no line. 

Because we in Croatia are too familiar with the fact that nothing is ever this easy, I immediately jumped to the conclusion that my doctor duped me, and the testing center was closed. 

But it wasn't. 

I walked up to the testing window as the only person getting tested at the time was finishing up. Confused, I handed over my health cards to the nurses, who asked if I've had any symptoms. After an oral swab and a nasopharyngeal swab in both nostrils, the nurse asked for my doctor's name and said to call her tomorrow as the results will be done then. And that was it.

The entire process took less than two minutes. 

I left stunned and looked around to see if anyone else was waiting, but the testing area remained empty. I was home 10 minutes later. 

In a country where bureaucracy is dreaded, and confusion is king, this painless process was a pleasant surprise. Of course, everyone's testing experience is different, but for anyone hoping to skip the line, try going on a Tuesday at 10:30 when the jugo is blowing, and you may get as lucky as I did. 

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