Ljubljana - A total of 9,858 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Thursday, show fresh official figures. The estimated total of actively infected people is nearing 100,000.

The National Institute of Public Health estimates there are 96,481 active cases currently in the country, an increase of almost 6,000 on the day before. This means almost 5% of the population is infected.

Hospitalisations increased by 19 to 599 this morning, whereas the number of Covid-19 patients needing intensive care dropped by six to 144, show government figures.

Another twelve people with Covid died yesterday, bringing the national death toll to 6,221, according to Health Ministry data.

The 7-day average of daily cases rose by some 400 to 8,489 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people increased by nearly 300 to 4,566.

Almost 15,000 PCR tests and more than 90,000 rapid antigen tests were conducted yesterday. The PCR test positivity rate stood at 67%, up by seven percentage points on the day before.

Higher positivity rates have been expected in recent days as relevant figures may not be directly comparable with those before Wednesday, when new PCR testing rules were put in place. A positive rapid test is now required for access to a PCR test for everyone except high-risk groups. Payable PCR testing is still available under the new regime.