Pandemic situation worsening in Slovakia

The situation in Slovakia is getting worse, with 1,000 new coronavirus cases a day expected next week. The trigger for accelerating the spread of COVID-19 in the past days in Slovakia is mainly greater family parties, such as weddings. Representatives of the Health Ministry informed about this on Wednesday based on the experience of regional hygienists when presenting the epidemiological situation in the country. On the contrary, according to the ministry, mass events during Pope Francis' visit have not significantly intensified the pandemic. Beds in hospitals in Košice, Prešov, Nitra and Banská Bystrica regions will be set aside for patients admitted with COVID-19, said Health Minister Vladimír Lengvarský (an OĽaNO nominee) following the Cabinet session on Wednesday, adding that the number of coronavirus-positive patients would continue to grow. The seven-day average currently stands at 900 cases per day, last week the average was 500 people tested positive per day. According to Health Ministry's Health Analysis Institute Matej Mišík, hospitals are currently nine percent full compared to the previous pandemic wave. The highest number of patients admitted to hospitals with COVID-19 are in the Kosice region.