October 1, 2020 - Data from Booking.com revealed that Croatian travelers discovered domestic destinations this summer as the coronavirus pandemic hindered usual travel plans. 

HRTurizam reports that travel plans changed drastically in 2020, which allowed travelers to explore destinations closer to home, discovering or rediscovering hidden destinations that are practically on their doorstep.

Studying the realized trips this summer, Booking.com revealed that the average distance traveled by passengers from Croatia traveling June - August decreased by 56% compared to the same period last year, which is slightly less than the global average of 63%.

Looking at the data obtained in the summer of 2019, passengers from Croatia traveled an average of 726 kilometers per booking. This summer, that distance was reduced to only 322 kilometers per reservation, which is slightly more than the distance Zagreb-Sibenik.

As much as 68% of the distance traveled by passengers from Croatia between June 1 and August 31, 2020, was within Croatia, compared to only 17% in the same period in 2019.

Many of them took the opportunity and traveled to visit family and friends they could not meet during travel restrictions and physical distance measures. Although Croatia is at the top of the list of most popular destinations booked by travelers from Croatia this summer, followed by Germany, Italy, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, and Austria, the data shows that some travelers from Croatia traveled abroad to enjoy their travels but still stayed within the continent. 

Many travelers from Croatia have rediscovered domestic destinations led by islands for which there has been increased interest this season. This summer, domestic destinations that were in great demand are Starigrad-Paklenica and the island towns of Stari Grad, Hvar, Malinska, and Korcula.

Although some rural destinations are becoming increasingly popular, long-term proven urban favorites are still at the top of most desirable destinations. This summer, those destinations for travelers from Croatia are Zagreb, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik.

As far as accommodation choice is concerned, this year, travelers from Croatia most often chose to stay in camps, then in villas and holiday homes.

The increase in the reservation of accommodation in camps shows a change in travel trends, points out Booking.com, and adds that if we compare the data from the end of 2019 before it was known that a global pandemic would hamper our travel plans in 2020, only 13% passengers from Croatia intended to stay in camps while as many as 64% planned to spend their holidays in hotels.

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September 30, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Croatia Airlines cancels several international departures next month. 

Croatian Aviation reports that the Croatian national airline has made operational changes on international routes departing from Zagreb. Due to weak demand, certain departures on many lines were canceled. We bring you the flight schedule for 10 international lines of Croatia Airlines from October 1 to 16, 2020.

Croatia Airlines has made some changes in its flight schedule for the first half of October this year. The company will continue to operate almost three times a day to Frankfurt, allowing passengers to continue their journey to a number of destinations in Europe and the world with a single stop in the German city. Recall that this was the only international line to Zagreb during the lockdown by which the national company actually enabled the continuous repatriation of Croatian citizens.

Certain departures were canceled on the following lines:

Zagreb - Amsterdam: flights on October 7, 8, and 11 were canceled,

Zagreb - Brussels: flights on October 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, and 15 were canceled,

Zagreb - Dublin, the last flight is on October 4, as announced earlier,

Zagreb - Munich route: flights on October 7, 12, and 14 were canceled,

Zagreb - Paris: announced two flights - October 3 and 16,

Zagreb - Sarajevo: announced two flights - October 2 and 16,

Zagreb - Skopje: announced four flights - October 2, 9, 12 and 16,

Zagreb - Zurich: flights on October 2, 6, 7, 9, 12 - 14, and 16 were canceled,

Zagreb - Copenhagen: flights canceled on October 2, 6, 7, 10, 12 - 14.

The Zagreb - London line will operate more often than in September. Croatia Airlines will offer two flights a week, every Monday and Friday, through the first half of October.

There have been some reductions on international routes from Dubrovnik and Split, which will be announced next.

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September 29, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Ryanair operates 10 lines to Croatia in October.

Croatian Aviation reports that in October, Ryanair will operate on 10 international routes to five Croatian airports: Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. 

In September, Ryanair operated on 16 routes to Croatia, but in October there will be 10. In the last month of the summer flight schedule, the company will operate to all five destinations in Croatia, from Istria to Dalmatia. The flight schedule for October can be found below.

Pula Airport will have three active lines by the Irish low-cost carrier in October:

Pula - Brussels will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, until October 23,

Pula - Berlin will operate once a week, on Saturdays, until October 24,

Pula - London line will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, until October 22.

Rijeka Airport had two routes in September, but as of October it no longer has a direct connection with London. Only the line to Frankfurt remains in traffic. The Rijeka - Frankfurt Hahn line will operate once a week, on Saturdays, until October 24.

Dubrovnik and Split airports will have one Ryanair line each, both airports will be connected to Dublin:

Dubrovnik - Dublin will operate 2 times a week, Wednesdays and Sundays, until October 21,

Split - Dublin will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, until October 24.

Zadar Airport will usually have the largest number of routes of this airline:

Zadar - Brussels will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, until October 24,

Zadar - Cologne will operate once a week, until October 18,

Zadar - Dusseldorf will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, until October 24,

Zadar - Karlsruhe will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, until October 24.

As we mentioned earlier, the lines Rijeka - London, Split - Stuttgart, Zadar - Prague, Zadar - Stuttgart, Zadar - Berlin and Zadar - Poznan are no longer in traffic.

From the end of October, Ryanair will no longer have direct flights to Croatia and will conclude traffic to Croatian airports for this year.

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September 28, 2020 - Slovenia's red list includes eight Croatian counties on Sunday after the Slovenian Government adopted changes in the ranking of countries on its red, orange, and green list.

24ur.com reports that during a correspondence session, the Slovenian government adopted changes to the countries on the lists unsafe for travel during the corona era.

"The Government took note of the Assessment of the Epidemiological Situation in the European Union and the Schengen Area, the Balkans and selected Third Countries, the Assessment of the Epidemiological Situation in the Countries and the European Commission's Re-open EU Recommendation, as well as the Criteria per 100,000 inhabitants by country prepared by the National Institute of Public Health. It assessed the professional justification of the restrictions from the Ordinance on ordering and implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at border crossings at the external border, at checkpoints at internal borders, and in the Republic of Slovenia and decided that these restrictions should continue to apply," said the Slovenian Government on its website.

Thus, the red list includes 16 EU Member States and the Schengen area, with only administrative units with a poor epidemiological picture and 114 third countries with an uneven distribution of infections.

Regarding Croatia, the red list now includes Brod-Posavina, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Lika-Senj, Pozega-Slavonia, Sibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatia, Virovitica-Podravina and Zadar counties. 

The orange list now includes the Croatian counties bordering the country. This means that from these areas, Slovenia can be entered with a negative coronavirus test and without having to quarantine.

Serbia and Poland are on the green list again, together with Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, and Finland, while neighboring Italy has been withdrawn from the green list. 

The changes take effect on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, and the lists are available here.

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September. 27, 2020 - This year, the Mali Losinj Tourist Board made the most of the COVID crisis, from communication, campaigns, ideas, and, most of all, proactivity. The Ferry Free campaign is just one example.

Namely, Goran Rihelj of HRTurizam writes that the Mali Losinj Tourist Board launched the FERRY FREE campaign to attract visitors in September. Thus, for visitors staying in September for more than seven nights, the Tourist Board co-finances return ferry tickets in the facilities that responded to the invitation.

"In our main markets, we have conducted, and still carry out in some, the marketing campaign 'Losinj - Your island oasis' with the action 'Ferry Free' where guests who come in September and stay at least seven nights, we reduce the price of accommodation by taking care of the return ferry ticket for both vehicles and passengers," points out Dalibor Cvitkovic, director of the Mali Losinj Tourist Board.

Because the tourist season ended abruptly as the borders closed,  the course and efficiency of the action were disrupted, but the action has borne concrete results in the current framework.

"During September, following the 'Ferry Free' campaign, we expect to achieve more than 5,000 overnight stays, which is a direct consequence of the campaign. Of course, we expected a greater economic effect, but our main markets are closed, and most of the guests who took advantage of the action were guests from Germany. According to everything, we can be satisfied, and in cooperation with partners, we plan to continue the action next year. On the contrary, we plan to expand it even more, through more terms; in the pre- and post-season, as well as to focus especially on domestic guests," said Cvitkovic.

Yet even in these current frameworks, the action has proven to be successful. If we consider that the average consumption of tourists on Losinj is around 100 euro, then it is slightly lower in the COVID crisis (approximately 80 euro). Thus, we come to a simple calculation that, thanks to this action, 400,000 euro was generated in September - which is more than great success. Of course, this is a rough estimate. And September is still here.

When asked how he would comment on the summer season, Cvitkovic said they were satisfied, following the initial announcements. The bitter taste of unrealized tourist traffic in the second part of the season remained. "We are to blame for the increase in the number of infections, which, of course, reflected on the whole situation. The question is whether we have learned anything this year," adds Cvitkovic.

It is possible to have tourism during the coronavirus pandemic, but we all have to adhere to epidemiological measures, emphasizes Cvitkovic, and this season has shown that, among other things.

"For the first eight months, we achieved an index of 58 in overnight stays, but we hoped that the post-season would have higher numbers. What makes us happy, both in the whole of Croatia and also on Losinj, was that there were no COVID cases in accommodation capacities. Also, despite many people and common rooms, hotel accommodation did not have a single case of new patients, nor were they hotspots. And we know how hotels are generators of consumption and employment and how important they are for every tourist destination," Cvitkovic points out and says that on the other hand, the Headquarters must work on putting out some possible hotspots faster and more efficiently.

"Synergy within the tourism sector is important, and the Institute of Public Health is currently one of our main partners. We have to form teams to be ready to do the testing quickly, so in less than 72 hours, we have test results. This is a key issue for guests. Also, we all need to network much better, to have a health care system behind us, and to make tests and reservations on time - everything was ad hoc this year, but now we have the opportunity to plan the whole system and story in 2021. Now we are much smarter and more prepared for the whole situation and the challenges that tourism brings during the COVID-19 crisis," adds Cvitkovic.

In case one of the guests has coronavirus symptoms, the Mali Losinj Tourist Board, in cooperation with everyone in the destination, has prepared clear protocols this year and an "insurance policy" for guests.

Namely, in case of suspicion of COVID-19, the guest does not go to the doctor alone but must contact the hotel's reception or the owner of the accommodation. Then the questionnaire made by the Losinj Tourist Board is filled in, and the hotel or the landlord calls the doctor and the epidemiological service. Also, Losinj is the first destination in Croatia that covers the cost of accommodation and meals for guests or their families in case of self-isolation.

The lesson for next year is that it is difficult to plan anything. Still, we must be ready to react quickly, as this year, says Cvitkovic and adds: "The situation will change from day to day and therefore we will have more plans because we cannot know in advance what will happen, but we must be ready for all situations," says Cvitkovic and announces that the Losinj Tourist Board is preparing more action protocols for next year.

"We have to be ready to react very quickly and make decisions quickly. That is why synergy is important and that we have prepared several scenarios. From campaigns, communications to protocols. The 2021 season will not be significantly different than this one. Losinj will continue to be primarily a resting place for holidayers and car tourists."

Now we have time to prepare well for next year, and as Cvitkovic says, we are much smarter than at the beginning of the crisis.

"Sun and sea, outdoor, wellness, gastronomy - this form of tourism is good for us, our biggest markets recognize it, but I would like to dedicate more time to the domestic guest. Here, the State could turn Cro cards into Cro vouchers, not to put everything at the employer's expense, but to co-finance partly or 100% as in Slovenia. I think it would be a great opportunity for 2021 to raise the number of domestic guests, because they have no limits with borders, and the domestic guest is more than a good guest. Also, the presentation of new cases from the national level should certainly be viewed in all regions, even destinations. For example, this year, we had zero patients on the island, while in Rijeka, for example, the picture was different. And there were many more such examples," Cvitkovic concludes.

Quick reaction, communication, synergy, proactivity, courage, and readiness for action are the qualities that adorned the Mali Losinj Tourist Board this year. 

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September 26, 2020 - The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published a new list of countries by zones/colors according to the epidemiological situation. Istria and Varazdin are now on the green list.

HRTurizam reports that it is important to emphasize precisely the regional approach to travel restrictions, which in Croatia tourism entrepreneurs have been fighting for since the beginning of the COVID crisis, and the European Commission's proposal is on that path.

Thanks to this approach, although most of Croatia is still in the red zone, according to the newly updated list - Istria and Varazdin are on the "green" list, thus enabling Belgian tourists to travel to these two regions.

Namely, the European Commission presented a proposal for Recommendations on a coordinated approach to restrictions on free movement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the proposal identifies four main areas where close cooperation between the Member States is needed:

- common criteria and thresholds for the Member States to introduce travel restrictions
- mapping common criteria with an agreed color code
- a common framework for measures applicable to travelers from high-risk areas
- clearly and timely informing the public about all restrictions

Member States should provide data on new cases to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control on a weekly basis and should also provide data for the regional level to ensure that measures can be targeted only in areas where it is absolutely necessary. 

Recall, on Wednesday, Germany added regions from 11 European countries to the list of high-risk areas, including Lika-Senj County, rejecting the last hope of reviving tourism at a time when many countries are threatened by a second wave of coronavirus.

The Robert Koch Institute list includes major tourist destinations such as the French regions of Center-Val de Loire, Brittany and Normandy, Lika-Senj County in Croatia, and the Notranjsko-kraška region in Slovenia.

The list also includes the capitals of Ireland, Portugal, and Denmark, the Dutch province of Utrecht, the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, most of the Czech Republic, the county of Gyor in western Hungary, and Romania's Covasna.

The inclusion in the list of risk areas usually follows when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes recommendations against necessary trips to the region in question.

Germany warns against traveling to regions in the European Union where more than 50 are infected per 100,000 people per week.

Due to the spread of the epidemic, Germany has so far included Dubrovnik-Neretva, Požega-Slavonia, Šibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatia, Brod-Posavina, Virovitica-Podravina, and Zadar counties on the list of epidemiologically risky areas in Croatia.

Declaring an area risky means that those returning from vacation must be tested for coronavirus and remain in self-isolation until they receive a negative test result.

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September 25, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Air Serbia maintains one route to Croatia in October. 

Croatian Aviation reports that Serbian national airline Air Serbia has announced its flight schedule for October this year. Two lines will stop operating - to Dubrovnik and Split.

This summer, Air Serbia operated to Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb. Due to the impact of the pandemic, lines from Belgrade to Pula, Rijeka, and Zadar were canceled. Under normal circumstances, Air Serbia operated to Adriatic airports until the end of the summer flight schedule, but this year, that will not happen. Air Serbia will stop operating to Dubrovnik by the end of September, and the line to Split will be canceled at the beginning of October.

Air Serbia will land in Dubrovnik today for the last time this season. On the last flight, a B737-300 aircraft (capacity of 144 seats) was announced. Thus, Air Serbia will conclude operations on the Belgrade - Dubrovnik route for this summer season.

On the Belgrade - Split line, the last flight was announced for Sunday, October 4, and one flight is available before that date, on Friday, October 2. In last year's summer flight schedule, this line operated throughout October. Still, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic or reduced demand, the company decided to cancel it earlier than planned.

The only Air Serbia route that remains in traffic in the winter flight schedule to Croatia is the line between Belgrade and Zagreb. Although there were 10 flights a week on this route, Air Serbia plans 3 flights per week in October this year, every Monday, Friday, and Sunday in the evening. ATR72 aircraft with a capacity of 70 seats have been announced on this route.

Air Serbia has very often canceled certain departures on flights to Croatia in this year's summer flight schedule, so it remains to be seen whether the three flights per week to Zagreb will take place according to current announcements.

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September 25, 2020 - The Virovitica Tourist Board has found a creative way to help struggling renters during the corona crisis by redirecting funds meant for canceled events to a Support Plan for renters in the area. 

HRTurizam reports that the coronavirus pandemic has caused numerous cancellations in Croatia and around the world. This has resulted in a reduced number of visits, i.e., tourist arrivals and overnight stays in several Croatian destinations, especially in the continental area. One example is Virovitica, whose tourist board has decided to redirect the funds provided for events that have been canceled by the Headquarters so far, to the implementation of a support plan for Virovitica renters.

With the amendments to the Work Program and the rebalance of the Virovitica Tourist Board financial plan, adopted at the Assembly's first session, the plan includes several segments.

Guest safety

The first is guest safety, which means the safety of tourists, which is especially important for choosing to visit a destination. The year marked by the corona crisis is precisely the most important segment. The Virovitica Tourist Board financed the purchase of cotton masks with the sign of the Pejacevic Castle and the inscription "Greetings from Virovitica." The masks are intended for employees of accommodation facilities and guests who will not only use them during their stay, but they also serve as a souvenir to take home and thus further promote Virovitica. Also, disinfectants and medical masks were distributed to all Virovitica renters.

Visibility

This year has shown the importance of visibility, especially on the Internet. It has also shown how a large number of renters have neglected this particular segment of their business. Namely, some accommodation facilities do not have their own websites, nor are they present on internet platforms. To help Virovitica renters increase their visibility to potential guests, the Virovitica Tourist Board will finance the development of websites of all accommodation facilities in the City. These websites will also be available in English. In addition to the website, Facebook and Instagram profiles of each accommodation facility will be activated. The Virovitica Tourist Board will finance the purchase of photographs and the lease of copyrights and provide the texts needed for the new website's content.

Tourist maps of the city of Virovitica with marked sights, service information, catering and accommodation facilities were also printed and distributed. Considering the numerous new contents in the city of Virovitica, the plan is to make a new study of signalization, install all missing signs, and replace the old and worn-out signs. As part of this project, preference will be given to renters, i.e., to adequately mark all accommodation facilities in Virovitica.

Free tickets for Pejacevic Castle and Virovitica City Museum

COVID-19 has left a mark on the number of arrivals and overnight stays. Therefore, the Virovitica Tourist Board has prepared a promotion by which visitors, for each night in a registered commercial accommodation in Virovitica, until October 15, 2020, will receive a free ticket to Pejacevic Castle and Virovitica City Museum. For this action, the Tourist Board is also financing a promotional campaign called "Experience the city of Pejacevic" on social networks, portals, and press.

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September 24, 2020 - Plitvice Lakes National Park lowers prices next month! By joining the 'Vacation-Worthy Week' action, from October 16 to 25, 2020, prices will be 50 kuna for adults and 20 kuna for children.

24 Sata reports that 'Vacation-Worthy Week' is an action of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Croatian National Tourist Board, set to take place from October 16 to 25, 2020. The action aims to encourage domestic travel and raise the level of tourist activity in the period outside the summer months.

This action will enable the citizens of Croatia and all those interested to visit and get to know different parts of Croatia at 50 percent lower prices on numerous tourist services, from accommodation, transport, and sights to catering services and various experiences.

Plitvice Lakes National Park joined the action and during that period will lower ticket prices to 50 kuna for adults and 20 kuna for children, while the regular price during October for a visit to Plitvice is 180 kuna for adults and 50 kuna for children.

The number of visitors will be limited due to epidemiological measures. If you want to visit Croatia's oldest and largest national park, hurry up and get your tickets because many tickets for this period have already been sold.

In addition to tickets, Plitvice Lakes National Park has prepared a promo offer for other services, which you can find by visiting the official website of the park.

TCN reported last week that owners of hotels, motels, transfers, restaurant owners, and anyone in tourism who offers services, now is the right time for you to get involved in the "Vacation Worthy Week" campaign. These businesses will display their offers on the website created specifically for this action - tjedanodmoravrijedan.hr, which will soon be activated for service users. All business and private entities from the tourism sector such as hotels, private renters, travel agencies, restaurants, bars, health and spa tourism, national parks and nature parks, museums, galleries, carriers, rent-a-car, boat renters, and more can apply to participate in the action. 

"This project is an initiative by which we want to present to our citizens all the beauties and richness of offers that Croatia has throughout the year. In this corona tourist year, domestic tourists have made a great contribution to tourist traffic. Our wish is that domestic tourists in the rest of this year and the years ahead make an increasingly significant part of demand and explore numerous offers across our continent and coast. During the week in October, numerous promotional offers will be featured in one place, and we intend to continue this action and hold it regularly for most of the year," said Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac about the campaign. 

The director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Stanicic, says that this project aims to encourage domestic tourist traffic in the pre- and post-season periods and in which tourism service providers participate who will create very attractive and more affordable offers for all Croatian citizens.

"It was the domestic market that made a strong contribution to the results achieved in this challenging year, with a high share of 20 percent in total overnight stays. I believe that the project will be very well received in the coming years and that it will have a positive impact on increasing tourism spending within the country," the director concluded.

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September 24, 2020 - The latest official COVID-19 in Croatia weekly report has been released by the Koronavirus government website, covering September 15-21.

CIPH report for the previous 7 days and daily report for the Republic of Croatia on the 21st of September 2020. 

There are currently 22 testing places in the Republic of Croatia that perform RT-PCR analysis and collect samples. All processed samples enter national Croatian Health Insurance Institute platform, which is accessible to all county public health institutes. County public health institutes submit data about positive cases, sources of infection and hotspots as part of their daily reports to the Croatian Institute of Public Health. The Croatian Institute of Public Health collects information about hotspots, hospital treatment of COVID-19 positive persons, COVID-19 positive patients on respirators and the deceased. You can find more about the test centers on the link.

Epidemiological indicators on 21st of September:  

• Cumulative 7-day incidence rate for the Republic of Croatia: 34,1/100 000
• Cumulative 14-day incidence rate for the Republic of Croatia: 71,2/100 000
• Counties with a cumulative 7-day incidence rate greater than 50/100 000 inhabitants: Brodsko-posavska, Karlovačka, Ličko-senjska, Požeško-slavonska, Splitsko-dalmatinska
• Counties with a cumulative 14-day incidence rate greater than 100/100 000 inhabitants: Brodsko-posavska, Dubrovačko-neretvanska, Ličko-senjska, Požeško-slavonska, Splitsko-dalmatinska, Virovitičko-podravska
• Total number of tests in the last week: 37 118
• Share of positive tests in the total number of tests in the last week: 3,8 %
• Total number of tests and share of positive tests in total number of tests: 262 132, 5,7 %
• The number of new cases in intensive care per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 7 days: 0,49/100 000
• Number of deaths in the last week: 26
• Total death rate per 1 000 000 population: 61,9/1 000 000

Epidemiological situation in Croatia
Geographical distribution of new COVID-19 cases by counties
In a two-week period from 8th of September to 21st of September all counties recorded new cases of COVID-19 disease. The highest number of new cases are recorded in the Splitsko - dalmatinska County, followed by the City of Zagreb and Zadarska County. The lowest number of new cases were recorded in Koprivničko – križevačka and Varaždinska County. The Požeško - slavonska County also has the highest 14-day rate, followed by Splitsko - dalmatinska and Ličko – senjska County.

Epidemic by weeks, from 19 th – 30 th week of the epidemic
Table 1 shows the epidemiological indicators by epidemic week. The data shows that one of the most important epidemiological indicators, the rate of confirmed cases, the number of tests and the share of positive ones show a positive trend in the last 4 weeks. The confirmed case rate has been steadily declining since week 27 when it stood at 47.6 to 34 at week 30. The total number of tests has been growing continuously for the past 5 weeks, i.e. from the 25 th week. The proportion of positive people in total testing also fell steadily, falling from 12.5 in the 26 th week of the epidemic to 3.8 in the 30 th week.

Table 1. Overview of the number of confirmed cases by weeks, from week 19 th –30th

Table 2 shows a set of indicators related to the severity of the clinical picture and the characteristics of deaths. The table shows that in the last 3 weeks there has been an increase in the average age of cases, the number of cases on the respirator and the death rate, which corresponds to previous findings that older people are more likely to develop more severe clinical forms and higher mortality in older age groups.

Table 2. Overview of patients on respirator and deaths by weeks, from week 19 th – 30th

Table 3 shows the incidence of the 7-day rate over the last three weeks with a limit of 50/100 000 inhabitants, which in some countries is taken as one of the criteria in assessing the epidemiological situation. In most counties, the 7-day rate is generally stable or slightly declining.

Table 3. Overview of 7-day incidence rates per 100,000 population in the last week

Clinical aspects - hospitalized, on a respirator and cured in the last week
Figure 2 shows the relationship between the daily number of confirmed cases and the daily number of hospitalized cases. Number of hospitalized cases per day ranged between a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 35, while the share of hospitalized cases in the total daily number of confirmed cases ranged from 7.3% to 42.9%.

Figure 2. Overview of the daily number of confirmed and hospitalized cases (15.9.-21.9.)

Figure 3 shows the proportion of hospitalized in the total number of weekly cases. Of the total number of confirmed cases in a given weekly period, 13.2% were hospitalized. In the same period, 20 people were put on a respirator, which makes 1,4% of the total number of confirmed cases.

Figure 3. Relation of the total number of confirmed and hospitalized cases (15.9.-21.9.)

Figure 4. Movement of the total number of cases, recovered, deceased and active number of cases from 18.6.- 21.9.

Died from COVID-19,15 th of September – 21st of September 2020, age and sex
A total of 146 people died in this wave of epidemics. Most of the people who died had significant comorbidities or were of advanced age. The mean age of the deceased in this wave of epidemics is 76.3 years. Sixty-two people died on a respirator.
An overview of the situation is given in Table 4 and Figure 5.

Table 4. Distribution by age and sex of the deceased people

Figure 5. Age and sex distribution of deaths from COVID-19 in the period 29 ^th June – 21^st of September 2020

In the last week, 26 people died, of which 14 (53.8%) were on a respirator. The distribution by age and sex in the last weeks is shown in Table 5, and by counties in Table 6.

Table 5. Distribution by age and sex of the deceased people in the last week

Hotspots

Table 6. New ill and deceased cases in the last week and total deaths and rates

Continental Croatia
In the last week, new cases were recorded in all counties of continental Croatia, but mostly in the City of Zagreb, Požeško – slavonska and Brodsko - posavska County. The highest 7-day rates on 14 ^th of September were in Požeško - slavonska, Virovitičko - podravska and Brodsko – posavska County. In the last week, due to the appearance of new hotspots, a significant increase in the number of patients has been recorded in Karlovačka and Međimurska County. In Karlovačka County, a large number of patients are associated with activities related to choral singing, while in Međimurska County, the grouping of patients is associated with weddings. In Brodsko - posavska, Virovitičko - podravska and Zagrebačka County, groups of patients related to weddings are also recorded. This week, a smaller number of patients was recorded in connection with the prom party in Požeško – slavonska County and the home for the elderly in Sisačko - moslavačka County. Smaller groupings of patients associated with the spread of the disease in the workplace were recorded in several counties, while a larger grouping in the workplace, which currently records contacts, appeared in Krapinsko - zagorska County. Cases of the disease have also occurred in schools, but there has been no significant spread among students and staff. Cases of illness after returning from vacation are still recorded. Part of the sick people are cases imported from abroad and there is a large proportion of contacts of sick people.

Coastal Croatia
Cases of ill persons have been recorded in Coastal Croatia like in all counties as well.  The highest number of patients was recorded in the Splitsko - dalmatinska, Zadarska and Primorsko - goranska County. The highest 7-day rate is in the Ličko – senjska, Splitsko - dalmatinska and Dubrovačko - neretvanska County. In most counties, after the end of the tourist season, the number of patients decreases again. In the Splitsko – dalmatinska County, there were also groupings related to choral singing and several smaller groupings related to the spread of the disease in the workplace. Related to the workplace, there have been also outbreaks reported in other coastal counties, but most of the contacts were immediately placed under health surveillance, so there wasn’t reported greater number of cases. As in the continental part, the cases of the disease were confirmed in several schools, but there wasn’t greater spread observed among students and staff. A significant proportion of patients are contacts of previously recorded cases.

Age-sex distribution of patients in the last week
In the previous week, a total of 1,394 people fell ill - approximately the same number of females (51.6%) and males. The same distribution by sex is present in most age groups, except in the age groups under the 7 years, where is the smallest number of patients and in the age group 51-65, in which women predominate (56.4%).
 
By age groups - 187 children fell ill and the 185 people of older age, which makes an equal percentage in the total number of patients, or 13%. The least affected were children under 1 year of age, a total of 2. The most affected were children of secondary school age, a total of 75. Adults made the largest share in the total number of patients last week 1022 (73.3%).
 
The distribution of patients by age did not change significantly compared to last week, except for a slight increase in children from 10.5% to 13.4%.
 
The full view can be found in Figure 6 and Table 6.

Figure 6. Distribution of patients in the last week by age groups

Table 6. Age and sex distribution of patients in the period 15.9.-21.9.2020

Measures
Measures to maintain physical distance, maintain hand hygiene and disinfection are still in force. Also, it is mandatory to wear face masks or medical masks indoors for all health workers and professionals, employees who work in social care system and the ones who work in hospitality facilities

Decisions of the Headquarters

• September 2 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the Sisačko - moslavačka County
• September 2 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the area of ​​Požeško - slavonska County
• September 2 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the area of ​​Koprivničko - križevačka County
• September 3 - Decision about the necessary measure of enhanced control of the implementation of the Guidelines for the Prevention and Suppression of the COVID-19 Epidemic for Social Service Providers in the Social Welfare System
• September 3 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the Krapinsko - zagorska County
• September 5 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the Bjelovarsko - bilogorska County
• September 7 - Decision amending the Decision on the necessary measure of limiting the working hours of catering facilities in the category "Bars"
• September 8 - Decision about amendments to the Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the Brodsko - posavska County
• September 8 - Decision about the introduction of new epidemiological measures for the area of ​​the City of Otočac
• September 9 - Decision about amendments to the Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the area of ​​Zadarska County
• September 9 - Decision amending the Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the area of ​​Splitsko - dalmatinska County
• September 11 - Decision amending the Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the area of ​​Dubrovačko - neretvanska County
• September 11 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the area of ​​Virovitičko - podravska County
• September 11 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the Zagrebačka County
• September 14 - Decision amending the Decision about the temporary ban on crossing the border crossings of the Republic of Croatia
• September 14 - Decision amending the Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the Krapinsko - zagorska County
• September 14 - Decision amending the Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the area of ​​Šibensko - kninska County
• September 21 - Decision about the introduction of necessary epidemiological measures for the Ličko - senjska County

 
CIPH recommendations

• Diseases and health conditions that may increase the risk for more severe forms of COVID-19 disease
• Selected health and organizational issues related to the work of preschool institutions, primary and secondary schools in the school year 2020/2021
• Recommendations for teaching at higher education institutions in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic with the application of anti-epidemic measures
• Organization of rest and food - Work of preschool institutions, primary and secondary schools in the school year 2020/2021 - additional clarifications
• Visors cannot replace masks except when a student / person has a problem with hearing impairment - Work of preschool institutions, primary and secondary schools in the school year 2020/2021 - additional clarifications
• Criteria for testing for SARS-CoV-2, termination of isolation and quarantine - Unified revised recommendations about priorities for testing for SARS-CoV-2, handling of contacts, termination of isolation and quarantine ("self-isolation")
• Terms of use of school sports halls by external users
• Instructions for the work of student dormitories with regard to the COVID-19 epidemic in the school year 2020/2021.
• Instructions for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in student dormitories with regard to the COVID-19 epidemic in the school year 2020/2021.

 
Recommendations and measures on global and EU level

Europe
On 10 th of August 2020, ECDC released an updated version of the risk assessment:
ECDC has additional documents and information available: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en and https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/covid-19-pandemic
The number of cases and the 7-day cumulative incidence of COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide can be found on the ECDC dashboard: https://qap.ecdc.europa.eu/public/extensions/COVID-19/COVID-19.html
 
Austria
Bundesministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz – https://www.sozialministerium.at/Informationen-zum-Coronavirus/Neuartiges-Coronavirus-(2019-nCov).html
 
Netherlands
Government of the Netherlands - https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment - https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Germany
Rober Koch Institut - https://www.rki.de/DE/Home/homepage_node.html

Slovenia
(gov.si) – https://www.gov.si/en/topics/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/
National Institute for Public Health – Slovenia - https://www.nijz.si/en

United Kingdom
gov.uk – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

World
WHO provides comprehensive information and documents
WHO COVID-19-Dashboard: https://covid19.who.int/ and https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Weekly Epidemiological Update and Weekly Operational Update i Weekly Surveillance Report: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports and https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/weekly-surveillance-report

Sources of information
https://www.hzjz.hr/
https://zdravlje.gov.hr/

Information about the global epidemiological situation
More about COVID-19 in other countries can be found and learned on the ECDC website: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/geographical-distribution-2019-ncov-cases. The WHO Regional Office for Europe, the European Commission and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Health Policy have at their disposal the COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor (HSRM). There is information available about European countries and ways to respond to this epidemic. The focus is on health systems and public initiatives: https://www.covid19healthsystem.org/mainpage.aspx

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