COVID spreading faster in many countries, caution needed during festive season

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Thursday that coronavirus was spreading somewhat faster in Dalmatia and urged citizens to remain cautious during the festive season in order to prevent the spread of the virus at family gatherings.

Broken down by regions we can see that the virus is spreading somewhat faster in Dalmatia. After weeks of registering fewer and fewer new infection numbers, today we have a higher number than last week, said Plenković, opening a cabinet meeting.

This Thursday, the COVID-19 crisis management team reported 3,831 new cases in the last 24 hours, as against 3,765 new cases which were registered last Thursday.

The premier recalled the importance of vaccination and personal protection and of avoidance of large gatherings as well as the implementation of  COVID certificates.

"All these measures need to be used combined and then we will have better protection, particularly, during the festive season," he said.

He underscored that the government and national COVID response team were monitoring the situation, considering the new Omicron variant. Some countries are ramping up restrictions where Omicron infections are doubling each day, he said.

Third dose is necessary

The rapid spread of the latest variant is certainly worrisome. "It is obvious that the current vaccines can protect against Omicron and it is necessary to get the third dose," he said and called on citizens to get the booster dose.

Plenković recalled that he had met with country, city and municipal heads this week and discussed education, traffic, demography and employment.

"That system of dialogue is excellent. It has come across great support with county prefects and other stakeholders...I think we can be proud because that framework has improved the balance in regional development in Croatia and county prefects are included in all essential issues," he added.

Also today, the government adopted a few decision important for quake victims in Sisak-Moslavina County.

He in particular underscored a decision on a grant for the cost of food amounting to HRK 2.76 million for the entire county and an additional HRK 1.6 million for the City of Sisak, adding that to date HRK 33 million had been paid to cover the cost of food for meals in that county.

He announced that he would visit Petrinja next week to mark the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck that area on 29 December 2020.

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