STA, 20 January 2021 - Slovenia recorded 1,698 coronavirus infections from 11,308 tests on Tuesday as the seven-day average of new infections and hospitalisations fell below the threshold set by the government to move from black to red tier where the easing of restrictions can start by regions.
Data released by the government show that 5,384 PCR tests and 5,924 rapid antigen tests were performed yesterday, with positivity rates of 25.9% and 5%, respectively.
The daily increase in cases marks a 19% decline on the same day a week ago and is the first time since late October that Tuesday's case count fell below 2,000.
Data from the tracker site covid-19.sledilnik shows that the seven-day average has thus fallen to 1,297, which is below the 1,350 mark set by the government in its colour-coded, five-tier strategy of coronavirus restrictions as one of the criteria to move from top black tier to tier red.
The other criterion is Covid-19 hospitalisations, which government data show fell below the 1,200 mark to 1,178, 22 fewer than the day before after 125 patients were discharged. 181 patients or six fewer than the day before required intensive treatment.
The government will decide on potential easing of measures today with PM Janez Janša saying yesterday no drastic relaxation was to be expected yet.
Another 26 patients with Covid-19 died yesterday, to bring the overall death toll to 3,257, according to the tracker site.
Slovenia has so far reported more than 152,800 coronavirus cases.
Details of the tier system
Black tier
No. of infections: more than 1,350
Hospitalisations: more than 1,200
– Measures as they are currently in place
Red tier
No. of infections: under 1,350
Hospitalisations: under 1,200
– Kindergartens reopen along with the first three grades of primary schools under model C, which means in small groups and in line with all safety recommendations. Lab courses are allowed for students
– Museums, libraries, galleries reopen
– Contactless outdoor sports activities are allowed along with individual and family exercise
– Car repair shops and similar services, ski centres, certain shops reopen (regionally)
Orange tier
No. of infections: under 1,000
Hospitalisations: under 1,000
– School reopens for the remaining primary school students and final years of secondary school under model C, at the university level exams and seminars with up to ten people are allowed
– Reopening of certain other services, shops
– Assembly of up to ten persons allowed
– Free movement among municipalities with adherence to safety measures (the measure will be applied regionally)
Yellow tier
No. of infections: under 600
Hospitalisations: under 500
– School reopens for remaining high school students and university students, student dorms reopen
– All remaining services reopen
– Curfew lifted in the entire country (optionally only for some regions)
Green tier
No. of infections: under 300
– No more restrictions for the entire country
– General hygiene measures remain in place, bars and night clubs remain closed
