Covid-19 death toll climbs by four to 74
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's official Covid-19 death told rose to 74 after four more fatalities were recorded on Saturday. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 13 to 1,330, but only 685 tests were conducted on Saturday, half the number on Friday. The highest number of new cases, five, was at the Ljutomer care home, where 110 residents and staff have so far tested positive. Of the 90 Covid-patients treated in hospitals, 26 were in intensive care. 192 Covid-19 patients have so far been discharged from hospitals.
Random population testing for Covid-19 starts tomorrow
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is to launch a comprehensive random population testing for Covid-19 on Monday after invitations to take part have been sent to 3,000 people picked in a representative sample. The first such survey in Slovenia is to give the authorities a reliable estimate of the extent of the coronavirus epidemic in the country and help them plan the way out of the lockdown. Those agreeing to testing will be visited by technicians at home, to be swabbed for the presence of the virus SARS-COV-2 as well as give blood samples for a serological test for antibodies.
Pahor extends solidarity message to Croatia
LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor addressed his latest message of solidarity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic to Croatia, expressing his confidence that together the nations will prevail over the novel virus. In a video message to his counterpart Zoran Milanović and Croatian citizens, posted on Twitter, Pahor expressed Slovenia's "deep-felt respect for the Croatian nation, who at this difficult time is demonstrating determination, courage and hope". Milanović supported Slovenia in return.
Slovenian soldiers not among infected KFOR troops
PRISHTINA, Kosovo - The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) said none of some 250 Slovenian soldiers serving in the NATO-led mission in Kosovo (KFOR) tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Thecomments come after two civilians working at the KFOR mission had died of Covid-19 and several soldiers had become infected. The only SAF member to have been infected at missions abroad is a member of the Slovenian rotation in Mali who has since been brought home.
Opposition leaders level fierce criticism at govt
LJUBLJANA - The leaders of the opposition Social Democrats (SD) and Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ) directed harsh criticism at the centre-right government at the weekend, accusing it of manipulation and abuse of power under the pretext of the combat against coronavirus. SD leader Dejan Židan said he trusted the Slovenian police and army but did not trust the government. Former PM Šarec lambasted the government for attacks on the public broadcaster and contentious purchases of protective equipment.
Survey shows higher trust in vital institutions during epidemic
LJUBLJANA - A survey conducted by pollster Valicon suggests the public trust in the institutions that are vitally important during the epidemic has increased, including in the health system, public broadcaster and the police. The most trusted institution is Civil Protection. The government enjoys a negative level of trust at -40%, which is still better by 15 percentage points than in November 2019 and the best score for the government ever since the Slovenia Mirror survey was first conducted.
