Croatia COVID-19 Update November 18: 3,251 New Cases, 16,891 Active

November 18, 2020 — In the past 24 hours, Croatia reported 3,251 new COVID-19 cases. There are currently 16,891 active cases. Thirty-eight (38) have died. There are 39,937 people in self-isolation.

Follow this link for all Daily Croatia updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. UPDATED: 21:00 CET (Central European Time)

COVID-19 testing centers in Croatia here.
Interactive map of testing centers here.

Croatia COVID-19 Quick Access

Current COVID-19 Data
Cumulative COVID-19 Data
Neighboring Countries New & Active COVID-19 Cases
COVID-19 Case Count by Croatia County
Croatia County COVID-19 Update Links
Croatia City & County COVID-19 Details
COVID-19 News in Past 48 Hours
Croatia National Headquarters New Safety Measures
Recommendations for Employers
Other Croatia COVID-19 Announcements
Travel from Croatia
Travel to Croatia
European Union COVID-19 Statistics
Croatia Health Updates & COVID-19 Tracking
World Live Updates
World Statistics & Pandemic Information

Current COVID-19 Data

3,251 – New cases
16,891 – Active cases
1,878 – Treated in hospitals
205 – On ventilators
38 – Deceased
1,693 – Recovered
9,126 – Tested
39,937 – In self-isolation

Cumulative COVID-19 Data

90,715 – Total cases (since 25.02.20)
72,673 – Total recovered (since 25.02.20)
1,151– Total deceased (since 25.02.20)
640,781 – Total tested (since 25.02.20)

Neighboring Countries New & Active COVID-19 Cases

Source: Worldometers here.

COVID-19 Case Count by Croatia County

Sources: Index here, koronavirus.hr here, and counties below. Google Translate plugin download here. NOTE: This is to demonstrate how the national and county numbers may differ.

Croatia City & County COVID-19 Details

In Dubrovnik-Neretva County (79/53) – out of 218 tests, 54 were positive (25%). There are 13 people from Dubrovnik, nine from Župa dubrovačka, eight from Konavle, seven from Metković, three from Ploče, Blato and Vela Luka, two from Lastovo, one from the Dubrovnik littoral, Opuzen and Orebić, and two people who do not reside in the county. A total of 34 men and 19 women were infected, and an epidemiological link was established for 31 of them. Sixty-three (63) people recovered: 23 from Dubrovnik, 16 from Metković, ten from Župa dubrovačka, four each from Konavle and Opuzen, two from Ploče, one from Blato and Vela Luka and two people who do not reside in the county. Fifty-seven (57) people are hospitalized in OB Dubrovnik. Ten patients require intensive care, three patients are on ventilators – non-invasive ventilation, six are on invasive ventilation, and one person is on oxygen. There are 826 people in self-isolation, and in the last 24 hours one violation of the self-isolation measure was recorded.
In Istra County (82/73) – 320 swab samples were tested and 73 were positive for COVID-19 (23%). Forty-eight (48) people were already in self-isolation or in close contact with a positive person. For 10 people, epidemiologically, these are imported cases from: Rijeka (3), Zagreb (2), Lipik (1), Serbia (2), Slovenia (1), Switzerland (1). In the Brkač Home for the Mentally Ill, positive test results were confirmed for 3 residents. Sixty-four (64) people recovered and there are 642 people in self-isolation.
In Primorje-Gorski Kotar County (157/166) – 1143 people were tested and there are 166 new COVID-19 infections (15%). Eighty-three (83) recovered. New measures for the county here (in Croatian).
In Split-Dalmatia County (439) – out of a total of 1097 processed tests, there are 439 new COVID-19 cases (40%), from Split 136, Imotski 19, Kaštela 35, Makarska 1, Omiš 12, Sinj 59, Solin 20 , Stari Grad 1, Trilj 39, Trogir 3, Vis 1, Vrgorac 2, Vrlika 2, Baska Voda 1, Dicmo 4, Dugi Rat 1, Dugopolje 11, Gradac 1, Hrvace 11, Jelsa 1, Klisa 5, Lokvicici 1, Muc 5, Otok 21, Podbablje 12, Podstrana 8, Proložac 3, Pučišća 1, Runovići 12, Segeta 1, Šolta 1, Zagvozd 5, Zmijavci 2 and Cista Provo 2 people. One hundred ninety-two (192) people are contacts of previously infected. There are 135 people hospitalized at Split Clinical Hospital, while 11 people are on ventilators. A total of 2592 people are in self-isolation.
In Zadar County (98/91) – 413 samples were tested and 91 new COVID-19 were recorded (22%). They are from Zadar (52), Biograd (5), Benkovac (5), Obrovac (1), Pag (1) and the municipalities of Bibinje (4), Gračac (1), Novigrad (3), Pakoštane 2), Polača (1), Poličnik (4), Posedarje (2), Preko (1), Privlaka (1), Ražanac (1), Sali (1), Stankovci (3), Sukošan (2) and Vir 1). A total of 33 patients were hospitalized in the COVID-19 wards at Zadar General Hospital, five of whom are on ventilators. Eight patients are at the Special Hospital for Orthopedics in Biograd. One thousand six hundred twenty (1620) people are in isolation and self-isolation. The Zadar Police Administration recorded one violation of the self-isolation measure.
In Zagreb City (604) – 1156 tests were performed for COVID-19, of which 443 were positive (38%). Employees of the Epidemiology Service successfully contacted 445 people. Self-isolation was imposed on 1,272 people. Out of 445 processed positive people, 170 of them have a negative epidemiological anamnesis so far, 160 people are COVID-19 cases contacts, two people arrived from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

Thirty-nine (39) people are residents/employees of homes for the elderly and other social welfare institutions in Zagreb, and for 17 people the processing is still ongoing. For16 people, exposure at the workplace was possible, and for two people during their stay at a health institution.

Positive test results were confirmed for 37 residents, three health workers and three non-health workers in homes for the elderly and infirm in Zagreb and other social institutions. Positive test results were confirmed for 15 students and seven primary school teachers and 24 students and two secondary school teachers. Self-isolation was determined for 452 primary school students and for 506 secondary school students. There are 12 people in quarantine in Zagreb.
In Zagreb County (299/135) – the highest number of new cases was in Velika Gorica (29) and Samobor (20) and 14 in Ivanić-Grad (14) and Dugo Selo (12). One hundred eight (180) people recovered. Self-isolation was prescribed to students for four grades of primary schools and one grade of secondary school.

COVID-19 News in Past 48 Hours

Concerned about the development of the epidemiological situation, more and more doctors are asking the government to introduce stricter measures, Večernji list reports on Wednesday. Doctors are very concerned about the development of the epidemiological situation because they are witnessing an increasing influx of severely ill people with COVID-19. They are disappointed and angry that no stricter epidemiological measures are being taken to curb the spread of the infection. Dr. Ivana Šmit, president of the Croatian Association of Hospital Doctors, is also proposing concrete measures that would be an alternative to complete closure.

“High schools should have online classes for two or four weeks. Nightclubs and bars should be placed under strict surveillance. Cafes and restaurants should be subsidized for terrace rentals and co-financed for terrace heaters or electricity costs. The work of houses of worship should also be restricted, because these are places where people do not adhere to the measures, a lot of infections started at Mass,” the statement read.

“We are not satisfied, we need to have a tougher response. If Austria, Germany and Switzerland penalize people not wearing a mask or wearing them under the nose, I do not know why we cannot. The measures are insufficient and need to be stricter, we have stated that clearly,” explained Dr. Renata. Čulinović Čaić, President of the Medical Union.
The Međimurje County Public Health Institute will start rapid antigen testing next week. These are rapid tests, not PCR tests, they will be conducted in several primary and several secondary schools according to established criteria. About 2,500 people will be tested to get a clearer picture of the situation in schools — and to determine whether the virus is detectable in children with mild or no symptoms.
Marin Medak, a representative of caterers, said yesterday on Otvoreno that they are appealing for more people to be employed in civil protection. He referred to the increasing number of parties in basements and hidden places where young people gather because clubs are closed. Medak believes that there will be more and more of this activity, especially when the employees in the catering industry have lost their jobs. “We need to understand that 800,000 citizens between the ages of 15 and 30 consider COVID-19 a common cold,” Medak warned.
At the Virovitica Municipal Court, a 62-year-old man was found guilty of three counts of spreading and transmitting a contagious disease, and the court sentenced him to one year in prison with a suspended sentence of three years probation. The indictment charged the 62-year-old with coming to a restaurant in Virovitica on September 11, after being diagnosed with acute respiratory disease COVID-19 and a measure of isolation, where he consumed drinks on the terrace in the presence of two people. He was also charged that, after that, the next morning, during isolation, he came with a tractor and a tanker to someone’s yard and emptied the septic tank.
Ban Toskic: It is high time to tighten measures. The president of the association of family doctors, Nataša Ban Toskić, as a guest on Studio 4 on Tuesday, said that family doctors are doing their best but that they have taken on a lot of additional work. When it comes to introducing additional measures, she said that Croatia is late. “In everyday practice, we see in conversations with patients that a large number of people are infected from family gatherings. The measures will be decided by the crisis headquarters in consultation with epidemiologists and I hope they will take into account the opinions of epidemiologists who are the greatest experts,” she explained. She pointed out that it is extremely worrying that half of the total number of deaths since the beginning of the epidemic have died in the last 2-3 weeks. “It’s an obvious sign that it’s high time to tighten measures,” she added.
Assistant Minister of the Interior for Civil Protection Damir Trut said on HRT that the National Civil Protection Headquarters and epidemiologists are monitoring the situation and analyzing it, and in accordance with recommendations, the Headquarters will be implementing certain measures. “We will see what the situation will be next week and then we will decide on new measures,” he revealed.
Epidemiologist and member of the Scientific Council of the Government Branko Kolarić says that the introduction of new measures is a political issue and the Headquarters has a mandate for that. He also said on Monday that the purpose of the curfew is to reduce night parties. Asked what new measures could be introduced, Kolaric said the restrictions would apply to catering facilities. “Entertainment in nightclubs should definitely be banned,” he added.
Davor Bozinovic on mass testing in Zagreb — “We are in contact with colleagues from the city headquarters. At the moment no concrete decision has been made, they need to decide. Today is the meeting of the city headquarters. We believe that these tests are something that can contribute to rapid triage of infected and contagious people. It can help with symptomatic cases. This way we can detect cases that are in the contagious phase faster,” Bozinovic explained at Monday’s press conference.
Zagreb Health Chief — “The situation is still complex and difficult. When it comes to the health care system, 162 health care workers are positive, and 161 health care workers in isolation. This makes it extremely difficult to work. We have seven patients in quarantine,” said Vjekoslav Jelec on Monday.

Croatia National Headquarters New Safety Measures

Ban on holding all public events and gatherings where more than 50 people are in one place.
A maximum of 30 people may be present at wedding ceremonies.
A maximum of 30 people may be present at funerals, final farewells and urn placements.
A maximum of 15 people may be present at other private ceremonies.
Sports competitions may only be held without spectators.
Public events and gatherings and ceremonies of any kind can last up to 22:00 CET, except for wedding ceremonies, which can last up to 00:00 CET.
Gatherings and ceremonies held in catering facilities may last until the end of working hours of the catering facility which are determined by the decision of the Civil Protection Headquarters of Croatia.
Obligation to submit notifications on the holding of all public events, gatherings and ceremonies, where more than 30 people are expected, to the appropriate service of the Directorate of Civil Protection.
Obligation to keep written records of participants in all public events, gatherings and ceremonies attended by more than 15 people. Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović explained that the obligation to keep written records of participants does not apply to professional artistic performances, religious ceremonies, exhibitions because there are provisions for them which follow a special protocol.
Ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages from 00:00 to 6:00 CET.
Mandatory use of face masks or medical masks outdoors when it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5 meters.
Mandatory use of face masks or medical masks when entering and spending time in cemeteries.

Recommendations for Employers

Reduce physical contact between employees, whenever possible.
Introduce working from home, when possible given the nature of the work.
Introduce staggered working hours where possible.
Organize work in shifts and groups where possible.
Reduce the number of in-person meetings to a minimum.

Control over the implementation of this decision of the Croatian Institute of Public Health will be carried out by officers of the Directorate of Civil Protection, inspectors of the State Inspectorate, police officers and civil protection headquarters.

If a particular division of an individual local unit and area of (regional) self-government has determined a less-severe epidemiological measure than the measures prescribed by this decision, this decision shall override those measures.

Other Croatia COVID-19 Announcements

New changes regarding COVID-19 testing at Dr. Andrija Štampar, open telephone lines for people in self-isolation. The Institute of Public Health “Dr. Andrija Štampar” informs citizens that a new Call Center for people in self-isolation has been opened in order to improve the monitoring of persons who have been in contact with persons with coronavirus, and the telephone numbers are as follows:

01/46 96 308
01/55 63 102
01/46 96 315
email: [email protected]

The working hours of the call center are seven days a week from 8:00 to 20:00 CET.
The new working hours of Drive-in testing from Monday, November 16, 2020 are: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 CET; on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00 CET and on Sundays from 08:00 to 12:00 CET. Appointments for COVID-19 testing are available on the Dr. Andrija Štampar website here or directly here.
On Saturday, a separate COVID-19 health clinic started operating in the macro center of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Health Center in Zamet (Bože Vidasa 16a). A separate outpatient clinic is intended for the examination of COVID-19 positive patients or patients with symptoms that may indicate a COVID-19 infection. General/family medicine teams will be receiving patients in the basement of the building (specially marked entrance on the north side of the building) on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and public holidays from 08:00 to 20:00 CET. Patients are admitted to the outpatient clinic exclusively by prior telephone appointment at the following telephone numbers: 091 251 8544 or 091 251 8545.
The Ministry of the Interior (MUP) reminded citizens and residents on November 10 to come to police administrations and stations only in case of an urgent need to urgently solve some of the administrative tasks in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. They repeat that the validity of ID cards, passports and driver’s licenses and weapons certificates which expired after the proclamation of the COVID-19 epidemic on March 11 were extended for the entire duration of the epidemic, and at most 30 days after the proclamation of the end of the epidemic. The Ministry of the Interior also points out the possibility of submitting certain applications for administrative tasks via e-Services, which include submitting applications for passports, driver’s licenses, registration of residence, giving consent in certain administrative procedures, such as the landlord’s consent to registering residence.
COVID-19 Testing in Vrgorac: Samples will be taken on site at the Vrgorac Health Center, testing will be performed on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7:00 to 8:00 CET, and longer if necessary. This will allow more testing in the city and surrounding areas.
The National Civil Protection Headquarters announced new safety measures which went into effect on Monday, October 26. More information here. Compliance with the measures will be monitored by Civil Protection Directorate officers, inspectors, police officers and civil protection headquarters.
Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the influenza vaccination started earlier this year in Croatia, in mid-October. A total of 590,000 doses of vaccine were ordered, and a vaccination plan has been prepared in compliance with all epidemiological measures. Contact information for pharmacies which offering vaccinations here.
Several Croatia counties have implemented safety measures in an attempt to control the transmission of COVID-19. Those include reducing the number of participants at weddings, funerals, wakes, and other private and public events. A full summary of county measures can be found here.

Travel from Croatia

canitravel.net here.
Re-open EU here.
Euronews Article: Where can I book a holiday in Europe? here.

The following countries have placed Croatia on their COVID-19 red lists which means that a negative PCR test and/or a 14-day quarantine is required upon entry. Countries that have placed Croatia on their orange lists are not recommending travel to Croatia.

Hungary has barred entry from foreign countries effective September 1, except for transit.

Austria
Belgium
Cyprus
Denmark (Orange List)
Finland (Orange List)
Hungary (Barring entry from foreign countries beginning September 1)
Latvia
Lithuania
Germany (All counties in Croatia as of October 30, 2020)
Iceland
Ireland
Netherlands (Orange List)
Norway
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Switzerland
United Kingdom

Travel to Croatia

canitravel.net here.
Re-open EU here.
Euronews Article: Where can I book a holiday in Europe? here.

All EU/EEA citizens and EU/EEA permanent residents (EU 27 + UK + Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican) can freely enter Croatia as of July 1, without restrictions. Non-EU/EEA citizens, or citizens from third countries (including US citizens) must meet certain conditions to enter (see below).

Enter Croatia Online Form

To expedite border crossing, travelers are advised to fill out the Enter Croatia website here before arriving at the border.

COVID-19 PCR Test or Self-Isolation Required for Third-Country Nationals

This applies to third-country national passengers entering Croatia for permitted tourism or other business reasons or who have other economic interests, as well as people traveling for educational purposes.

These passengers may enter Croatia without the obligation of self-isolation upon presentation of a negative nasal and pharynx swab test for COVID-19, not older than 48 hours (starting from the time of taking the swab until arrival at the border crossing), or with the obligation of 14 days quarantine/self-isolation if they do not have a negative PCR test.

If third-country nationals have a test older than 48 hours upon entering Croatia, they will be allowed to enter Croatia. However, they will be required to self-isolate and test again in Croatia at their own expense. The above also applies to passengers and crew members on yachts. People who do not present a negative PCR test result are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine/self-isolation measure.

People who have a negative PCR test, and are on the self-isolation list, whether they’ve been on the list for seven days or have re-tested because they had a test older than 48 hours when entering Croatia, are to be removed from the self-isolation list.

Full instructions for entering Croatia here. Frequently asked questions here.

Croatia By Car

Border crossing wait times (provided by HAK) here.
Traffic report, map and cams (provided by HAK) here.

Croatia By Bus

GetByBus a one-stop resource for bus schedules and tickets (multiple bus lines) here.
Flixbus offers several domestic and international routes here.

Croatia By Train

HAK railway traffic and line information here.
Croatian Railways (HŽPP) schedule updates here.

Croatia by Ferry

HAK ferry traffic and line information here.
Jadrolinija ferry timetable and tickets here.
Kapetan Luka high speed ferry timetable and tickets here.

By Plane

Brač – Brač Airport and flight information here.
Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik Airport and flight information here with health and safety measures here.
Lošinj – Lošinj Airport and flight schedules here.
Osijek – Osijek Airport and flight schedules (in Croatian) here.
Pula – Pula Airport and flight information here.
Rijeka – Rijeka Airport and flight information here.
Split – Split Airport and flight information here.
Zadar – Zadar Airport and flight information here.
Zagreb – Franjo Tuđman Airport and flight information here with health and safety measures here.

European Union COVID-19 Statistics

Information on the COVID-19 situation and maps can be found on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control website here. Maps can be found here for:

Combined indicator: 14-day notification rate, testing rate and test positivity
14-day case notification rate per 100 000 inhabitants
Testing rates per 100 000 inhabitants

Note that COVID-19 testing varies greatly among countries. For comparison, Malta has tested over 88 percent of their total population for COVID-19, while Croatia has tested over 15 percent.

14-day COVID-19 case notification rate per 100,000.

Croatia Health Updates & COVID-19 Tracking

Koronavirus.hr (daily update at 10:00 CET in English) here, Facebook here, Twitter here and YouTube here.
Croatian Institute of Public Health (daily updates at 15:00 CET in Croatian) here.
COVID-19 INFO CROATIA well-moderated Facebook group providing rolling updates here.
US Embassy COVID-19 Information page can be found here.

World Live Updates

CNN updates can be found here .
The Guardian updates are here.
Al Jazeera updates are available here.

World Statistics & Pandemic Information

Johns Hopkins international map tracking spread of COVID-19 here.
Worldometers spreadsheets and charts here.
World Health Organization (WHO) updates here.