Ljubljana - Slovenia confirmed 16,571 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, the second highest daily tally since the start of the pandemic, after an all-time high on Tuesday. Seven more Covid-19 patients died, show official data.

The National Institute of Public Health estimates the number of active cases in the country has increased by almost 10,000 since yesterday to almost 153,400.

The 7-day average of daily cases rose by 955 to 13,323 and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people increased by 458 to 7,272. The PCR test positivity rate was 74%.

All the figures thus remain at record levels, following a steep rise in new cases this week as the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic was confirmed on Tuesday with almost 17,500 new cases.

Government data show the number of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 has increased as well, by 11 to 719. The figure includes 134 treated in intensive care, up by nine.