Croatia reports 130 new COVID cases in last 24 hours, ‘mostly younger people’

by croatiaweek
August 12, 2020
in News

Croatia

ZAGREB, Aug 12 (Hina) – In the past 24 hours, there have been 130 new cases of the coronavirus infection in Croatia, and currently there are 686 active cases, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Wednesday.

There are now 117 COVID patients in hospitals, and eight of them are placed on ventilators. There have been no new deaths in the last 24 hours.

Since the first confirmed case of the infection on 25 February in Croatia, a total of 5,870 persons have been diagnosed with the coronavirus infection, and of them, 160 have died, while 5,024 have recovered.

Currently, there are 2,279 persons in self-isolation. To date, 132,292 persons have been tested for, including 1,604 in the last 24 hours.

“There are currently no significant new hotspots. What is characteristic is that people are returning from their holidays, and a lot of young people have become infected. The average age of new coronavirus patients is 34, these are predominantly younger people who have mostly been to different gatherings and places where young people have fun,” Croatian Public Health Institute head Krunoslav Capak said.

The large majority of the cases from nightclubs occurred in Novalja (Pag), Makarska, Vodice, and from today Vir. Nightclubs, where the disease emerges, will be shut down.

When it comes to nightclubs and hospitality venues, Capak underscored that new recommendations have been issued for nightclubs according to which all closed premises in clubs should be closed and patrons need to gather in open areas of clubs.

Dance floors should be closed down and tables should be set up at a physical distance of 1.5 metres and that will all be checked by members of civil protection authorities.

Stepping up checks and inspections

Inspections will be stepped up. Epidemiological and health inspectors will have the authority to shut down a venue if they determine that someone had been infected there. They will be able to reopen the venue after disinfection and all employees have been tested for the virus. That recommendation has been sent to all local authorities who will inform club and hospitality venue owners.

“That however does not refer only to hospitality premises but to everyone. If it is determined that someone has been infected in whatever premises, such as banks or museums, they too will then be closed. This is a temporary measure and will be in force until it is determined that it is no longer necessary,” said Capak.

Capak also said that there some foreign tourists among the infected, but that number was less than 15.