Signs of plateauing as 3,431 new cases confirmed, ICU cases at new high
Ljubljana - Slovenia confirmed 3,431 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, the second day in a row that cases declined compared to the week before. The positivity rate declined slightly as well, to 37.6%. However, hospital figures continued to rise and the number of ICU patients is higher than at any time during the pandemic.
The number of Covid-19 patients at intensive care units rose by three to reach 215, whereas the overall number was up by 34 to 954. A total of 14 patients with Covid-19 died.
The latest data by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) show the 14-day case notification rate per 100,000 population at 1,938, up by 44 from yesterday. The seven-day average of daily cases stands at 3,140, down by 44.
The Jožef Stefan Institute meanwhile says that judging by the positivity rate, "the fourth wave of the epidemic has probably reached its peak".
The number of Covid patients in intensive care is expected to peak in the last week of November at more than 250, the research centre says on its website, adding that the 300 figure will probably not be surpassed.
"It is now key to consistently observe the reconvalescent-vaccinated-tested (PCT) rule and all the other measures so that the epidemic curve does not start rising again."
The institute has calculated that infections are currently spreading at the reproduction rate of about 1, meaning one infected person infects approximately one person.