Over the past 24 hours, 1,742 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Slovenia, confirming 470 new cases of the coronavirus infection, and there have been 45 related deaths, the Slovenian government said on Monday.

Fewer tests are usually conducted during the weekend, so the number of registered cases is lower than during the week. In the past few days, the number of confirmed single-day cases was between 1,500 and 2,000, and the percentage of positive tests was between 25 and 30 percent.

There are currently 1,292 COVID patients in hospitals in Slovenia, the highest number since the start of the epidemic. There are 201 patients in intensive care untis.

Epidemiologists believe the new hospitaliisation numbers, severe cases and deaths will start decreasing in a week.

Although the number of inpatient beds in COVID-19 wards was increased by more than 200 beds over the past weeks, health authorities warn that the capacity of the healtcare system is limited due to a shortage of skilled professional staff that are able to work, especially in intensive care units.

Since the start of the epidemic, a total of 65,778 cases of the infection have been confirmed, and there are now 20,123 active cases. The 14-day incidence rate is currently 960 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

The death toll in Slovenia is 1,097.

The strictest restrictions for curbing the spread of the virus remain in place this week, as well, and these include the curfew, the limit on travelling between municipalities and the ban on gathering outside the family circle.

According to announcements by the Slovenian government, systematic and mandatory testing for coronavirus in health facilities should start this week, and staff would be tested at least once a week.