Coronavirus in Croatia latest: 12 new cases confirmed on Wednesday

Vili Beroš, Davor Božinović (Photo credit: HINA/ Admir BULJUBAŠIĆ/ abu)

ZAGREB, 18 March 2020 (HINA) – The National Civil Protection Authority has held its regular daily morning press conference at 9 a.m. to update the public about the coronavirus outbreak.

Health Minister Vili Beros said there were 12 new cases of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday, and currently there are 81 infected persons in Croatia, including 8 doctors.

“We have 12 new cases, 81 confirmed now in total,” Minister Beros said.

There are currently more than 10,000 people under self-isolation orders in Croatia.

Speaking about the infected doctors, he said the system was well and sufficiently organised and that it could reallocate doctors, nurses and other medical staff at a moment’s notice to ensure adequate healthcare.

“Our preparations for stage three are adequate. I spoke this morning with the hospital directors in Split, Osijek and Rijeka. They all understood our orders seriously,” Beros said.

The epidemiological situation in Europe is not good as countries record more infections and deaths, he said.

For Croatia, it is important that all 25 tests done in the east were negative, which means that epidemiologists have done a great job, he added. A total of 1,205 tests have been done.

The city of Karlovac today reported its first coronavirus case.

Alemka Markotic from the Hospital for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljevic said that none of the patients in Croatia were in a serious condition.

There have been no deaths to date and five paitents had fully recovered.

A new call-centre opened from today where people can call with questions regarding the coronavirus.

“From today you can call 113. There will be 10 permanent volunteers answering citizens’ questions. Feel free to call 113, I just checked and it works,” said Krunoslav Capak, head of the National Civil Protection Service.

• People who disobey self-isolation orders in Croatia to face big fines – more details 
• Special doctor’s offices where people suspected of being infected with coronavirus can be tested open in Zagreb – more details
• Croatia strengthened measures for Croatian and foreign nationals entering Croatia on Sunday by extending the list of countries from which travellers will have to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival – more details 
• No reductions in Croatian ferry services due to COVID-19 – more details
• Croatia to close bars, shopping malls, and sports facilities – more details