December 16, 2020 — In the past 24 hours, Croatia reported 3,327 new COVID-19 cases. There are currently 22,402 active cases. Ninety-two (92) have died. There are 53,286 people in self-isolation.
Follow this link for all Daily Croatia updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. UPDATED: 20:00 CET (Central European Time)
Croatia COVID-19 Quick Access
Current COVID-19 Data
Cumulative COVID-19 Data
COVID-19 Case Count by Croatia County
Croatia County COVID-19 Update Links
Croatia County COVID-19 Details
COVID-19 News in Past 48 Hours
Croatia Health Updates & COVID-19 Tracking
Croatia National Headquarters New Safety Restrictions
Other Croatia COVID-19 Announcements
Croatia Travel Information
European Union COVID-19 Statistics
World Live Updates
World Statistics & Pandemic Information
Current COVID-19 Data
3,327 – New cases
22,402 – Active cases
2,907 – Treated in hospitals
294 – On ventilators
92 – Deceased
2,694 – Recovered
11,387 – Tested
53,286 – In self-isolation
Cumulative COVID-19 Data
183,045 – Total cases (since 25.02.20)
157,773 – Total recovered (since 25.02.20)
2,694 – Total deceased (since 25.02.20)
908,215 – Total tested (since 25.02.20)
COVID-19 Case Count by Croatia County
Sources: Index here, koronavirus.hr here, and counties below. Google Translate plugin download here. Google Translate here.
Details on the birth years of deceased COVID-19 patients on the koronavirus.hr Twitter page here. Note that national and county numbers for new and active cases often differ and sometimes greatly.
Croatia County COVID-19 Update Links
These are direct links to the county websites for COVID-19 daily reports. Note that not all counties provide updates on a daily basis. Google Translate plugin download here. Google Translate here.
Bjelovar-Bilogora County
Brod-Posavina County
Dubrovnik-Neretva County
Istria County
Karlovac County
Koprivnica-Križevci County
Krapina-Zagorje County
Lika-Senj County
Međimurje County
Osijek-Baranja County
Požega-Slavonia County
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Šibenik-Knin County
Sisak-Moslovina County
Split-Dalmatia County
Varaždin County
Virovitica-Podravina County
Vukovar-Srijem County
Zadar County
Zagreb City
Zagreb County
Croatia County COVID-19 Details
Dubrovnik-Neretva County
In Dubrovnik-Neretva County out of 330 tests, 59 were positive (18%), of which 36 were determined by a rapid antigen test. Twenty (20) people from Dubrovnik were infected, five each from Metković, Ploče, Župa dubrovačka and Kula Norinska, three each from Opuzen and Konavle, two each from Ston, Slivno and Blato, as well as one from Lastovo. Also, six non-residents were infected. A total of 28 men and 31 women were infected, and an epidemiological link was established for 36 of them.
One hundred forty (140) people recovered, of which 42 are from Dubrovnik, 33 from Metković, 19 from Ploče, 14 from Župa dubrovačka, ten from Konavle, nine from Opuzen, five from Slivno, three from Ston, two from Kula Norinska and Zažablje and one from Vela Luke. There are 1698 people in self-isolation, and in the last 24 hours there have been two violations.
Istra County
In Istra County out 598 tests, 87 are positive (15%) and 77 recovered. Sixty-seven (67) people were already in self-isolation or in close contact with a positive person. For 3 people, epidemiologically, these are imported cases from: Rijeka (1), Zagreb (1), Split (1). At the General Hospital in Pula, 64 people are being treated, of which 1 person is in the respiratory center. There are 1417 people in self-isolation.
Beginning Monday December 14 high schools switch to online classes. They will last until December 23.
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
In Primorje-Gorski Kotar County out of 1292 tests, there are 361 new cases (28%) and 299 people have recovered. According to the KBC Directorate Office, the number of hospitalized patients is 141. Of that number, 20 are on ventilators.
Split-Dalmatia County
In Split-Dalmatia County out of 1189 processed tests, there are 376 new cases (32%), from Split 133, Hvar 1, Imotski 8, Kaštela 22, Makarska 24, Omis 5, Sinj 29, Solin 17, Stari Grad 1, Supetar 12, Trilj 2, Trogir 4, Vrgorac 17, Vrlika 4, Bol 4, Baska Voda 2, Brela 2, Dicmo 1, Dugi Rat 8, Dugopolje 5, Gradac 2, Hrvace 1, Klisa 7, Lecevica 2, Lovreca 1, Milna 4, Muc 2, Nerezisca 4, Okrug 1, Otok 8, Podbablje 2, Podgora 2, Podstrana 5, Postira 6, Primorski Doc 6, Prolozac 1, Pucisca 8, Seget 4, Selca 1, Sutivan 1, Šestanovac 1, Tučepi 2, Zmijavci 3 and Cista Provo 1 person.
Out of the total number of newly infected, 168 people are contacts of previously infected. There are 182 people hospitalized in KBC Split, while 14 people are on ventilators. A total of 3082 people are in self-isolation.
Zadar County
In Zadar County out 438 tests, 119 were positive (27%). They are from the following cities and towns — 73 in Zadar, five each in Bibinje and Vrsi, four each in Obrovac and Sv. Filip and Jakov, three each in Benkovac and Polača, two persons each were confirmed in Galovac, Pašman, Preko, Privlaka and Ražanac, and one person each in Biograd, Kali, Lišani Ostrovički, Novigrad, Pag, Pakoštane, Poličnik, Povljana, Starigrad, Sukosan, Skabrnja and Zemunik Donji.
At COVID-19 wards in the Zadar General Hospital, 76 patients were hospitalized, of which 10 are on ventilators, and in the Biograd Hospital 27 patients were being treated. There are 1943 people in self-isolation and police recorded one violation.
Zagreb City
In Zagreb City the total number of new cases is 464. The number of people tested by rapid antigen tests was 1098, of which 490 were positive (44.6%). Also, 1260 PCR tests were processed, of which 347 were positive (28%). Employees of the Epidemiology Service successfully contacted 514 people. Self-isolation was imposed on 1,015 people.
Of the 514 positive people treated: 131 have a negative epidemiological history so far, 226 people are COVID + contacts. Eighty-seven (87) people are residents/employees of elderly homes and other social welfare institutions. Workplace exposure was possible for three people, and four people arrived from Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia.
Positive test results for 58 residents and 10 employees were confirmed in homes for the elderly and infirm and other social institutions in Zagreb. In addition, positive test results were confirmed in 46 students and five primary school teachers and 12 secondary school students. Self-isolation was ordered for 912 primary school students and 241 secondary school students. There are eight people in quarantine in Zagreb.
Zagreb County
In Zagreb County there are new cases in the following towns and cities — 56 Samobor, 21 Sveta Nedelja, 42 Zaprešić, 23 Jastrebarsko, 32 Velika Gorica, 3 Ivanić-Grad, 10 Dugo Selo, 5 Vrbovec, 4 Sveti Ivan Zelina, municipalities – 13 Brdovec, 5 Bistra, 3 Jakovlje, 4 Luka, 3 Marija Gorica, 2 Pusca, 4 Dubravica, 3 Klinca Sela, 1 Stupnik, 1 Krasic, 1 Kriz, 3 Brckovljani, 3 Rugvica, 2 Dubrava, 2 Gradec, 2 Bedenica), and 437 people recovered.
Self-isolation was prescribed for 10 classes of elementary school students. In the home for the elderly and infirm from Vrbovec, 21 positive residents and 2 employees were identified by epidemiological processing.
NEW: From November 30 to December 24, 2020, due to the current epidemiological situation, classes will be held online in high schools in the Zagreb County . Find out more here. Testing center information here.
COVID-19 News in Past 48 Hours
Wednesday December 16
Plenkovic: We Will Present New Restrictions on Friday, First Vaccines Few Days Early
“As for the new restrictions, we are compiling them at the moment, we will present them to the public on Friday. We will see what we will extend and what to add to prevent further spread of the epidemic. For January and February we will continue with the 4,000 HRK compensation per worker which will total about 500 million HRK,” the Prime Minister of Croatia revealed.
“The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has moved its deadline from December 29 to a few days earlier, which means that the first shipments of vaccines in Croatia will arrive a few days earlier than previously thought. The government will soon adopt a vaccination plan based upon the dynamics. Therefore, we will have a clearer picture of the vaccination plan within the first 6 months,” added Plenković.
Survey N1: More Than 60 Percent of Respondents Believe Restrictions are Late
N1 Television conducted an extensive survey regarding Croatia during the pandemic, trust in the Headquarters and other institutions, and other issues. The survey for N1 was conducted by the MASMI Agency from December 11 to 14 on a representative sample of adult citizens of the Republic of Croatia (N = 713), which guarantees a reliability of 95 percent, with a statistical error of plus/minus 3.67%.
As for the timeliness of the decisions of the Government of Croatia, in May, 69 percent of residents thought that the decisions were sufficient and timely. However, in December, 17 percent of respondents believed so. In May, 10 percent of respondents thought that the measures were insufficient and late, while in December that number rose to 60 percent.
The survey showed that almost half of Croatians no longer trust the Headquarters. Thus, 46 percent of respondents said they did not trust the National Civil Protection Headquarters. Twenty-eight (28) percent trust the headquarters, and 26 percent of respondents do not know. The reasons for mistrust include the influence of politics (33%), inconsistency (23%), manipulation of numbers (11%), incompetence (8%) and inefficiency (7%).
Tuesday December 15
Split Patient Who Left Hospital For Warm Shower Faces Criminal Investigation
As reported yesterday, two days ago by a 56-year-old man from Split, who suffers from two potentially fatal diseases, COVID-19 and pancreatitis, wanted to take a shower. But as there was no hot water, he went home.The hospital reported the unpleasant event to the police, and the police promptly interviewed the “COVID-19 positive”. As Slobodna dalmacija learned, the 56-year-old informed the police that he was positive for COVID-19 before they started talking to him.
The man informed the police during that conversation that he had left the hospital, after signing an agreement to leave at his own risk. He claims he wore a protective mask to his house and avoided people on his way home. The police will report to the State Attorney’s Office upon completion of the criminal investigation.
Split Hospital Director Explains Lack of Hot Water at Split Hospital, Next Steps
“We have long since chosen a contractor who will change the pumps so our patients will get hot water faster. But as the pandemic has taken over our lives, this project cannot be completed right now. I must point out that the patient who left the hospital was offered the opportunity to clean up in another bathroom, but he refused and went home.” claimed Dr. Krešimir Dolić, Deputy Director of KBC Split.
Slobodna dalmacija have reported on the problem with “non-existent” hot water in the eastern KBC complex several times, but the situation has not been resolved. Most notably, 78 million HRK was invested in the energy renovation of the facility three years ago, but the project did not cover that part of the energy system, so the contractor was not required to fix it. Therefore, the facility does not have a built-in water recirculation system.
This means that patients and staff on higher floors receive water later — with a delay of a few minutes after opening the tap. However, and especially in the morning, getting hot water requires a ten minute wait. This is because the pipes cool down by morning due to the non-use of hot water during the night.
First Person in Croatia Could Receive COVID-19 Vaccine by December 28, Pending EU Approval
Although the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has announced that approval for the use of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine could arrive by December 29, the German Bild reports that this could happen as early as December 23. In that case, the Germans say that vaccination in that country could start the day after Christmas, or on December 26. Considering that the European Commission has announced that, after EMA approval, all EU countries will receive the vaccine at the same time. This would mean that Croatia could receive the vaccines on December 26 or 28.
“We have information that the Pfizer vaccine will arrive in Croatia on January 4. However, the company said earlier that, as soon as the EMA approval arrives, symbolic quantities of the vaccine could be delivered to all EU countries at the same time this year, and the rest should arrive after the New Year,” says Dr. Krunoslav Capak, Director of the CNIPH. He is also convinced that, in the event that the EMA approves the vaccine on December 23, Croatia will receive the first quantities at the same time as Germany, like other EU countries.
Pulmonologist Sasa Srica Expresses Concern About Lack of Hospital Beds for Seriously Ill
About the situation in KB Dubrava Saša Srića revealed: “I am afraid that the data of the Ministry of Health does not correspond to the current situation in Dubrava. I commend the director, doctors, nurses, and specialists who are working at superhuman capacities. However, I am afraid that the numbers do not correspond to the real situation regarding patients in moderate and critical condition, patients who require oxygen and those who end up in intensive care. The number has exceeded 80% and emergency rooms are overcrowded. Patients who do not require oxygen are sent home for treatment as long as the situation can be maintained. My colleague Markotić says that she feels like she is in a courtroom, which is a bit unusual because she needs to answer journalists’ questions. I am afraid that if this trend continues, we will end up in the robbery.”
Srica adds that he is concerned that hospitals will be filled if the patient influx continues: “If the trend continues, I am afraid that the capacities in KBC Zagreb and KB Sestre Milosrdnice will not be sufficient for patients who require hospital care. I am afraid that we will not have enough beds for the seriously ill,” he explained.
Monday December 14
Split COVID-19 Patient Reports No Hot Water at Hospital, Goes Home to Shower
“At the cost of my life, I am leaving the Split hospital in Firule. I wanted to take a shower today, but there is no hot water in this department. I don’t know how instruments are cleaned when there is no hot water. Toilets are shared by men and women. Therefore, I decided to leave the hospital on my own initiative. I don’t believe that these conditions exist for patients anywhere in the world,” the former patient explained to Dalmacija danas. The man, who was diagnosed with pneumonia and pancreatitis, also tested positive for COVID-19.
“My condition was very bad, then it improved a bit. However, when it came to the fact that I did not have warm water to take a shower, I decided to leave the department at my own risk. I will go home to recover,” the man continued after signing his discharge letter. He says he feels sorry for the doctors and nurses because they are doing their best in this difficult situation, but that he is shocked by the conditions in which they must work and some patients must stay.
Croatia Government to Procure 169 Ventilators and 15,000 Doses of Remdesvir
On Monday, the Croatian Government approved the purchase of invasive ventilators for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and the purchase of Veklury (remdesivir) for the first three months of next year.
The price of one ventilator is 24,000 EUR without VAT or 180,000 HRK. Based on the analysis of the situation, they determined that it was necessary to purchase of 169 ventilators for of 5.056 million EUR or 38.025 million HRK, according Health Minister Vili Beros .
By the decision, the government authorized Krunoslav Capak, Director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, to sign a contract with the German provider GE Medical Systems Information Technologies.
Split Tourist Board Responds to Pictures of Yesterday’s Dense Crowds Without Masks
The Split Tourist Board organized numerous events on the Riva for the weekend, despite the strict measures and the large numbers of infected people that have been recorded in that county in recent days. The Split Tourist Board responded to Index regarding their role:
“The only live performances were on the Riva, exclusively on Saturdays and Sunday mornings in the open air for two hours. This was also in line with epidemiological restrictions. Therefore, we fenced off space for 25 people who are allowed to stay in front of the stage for a maximum of half an hour, respecting physical distance. Markings on the ground were also added for the correct and prescribed distance within the fences. There were never more than 25 people within the space during the weekend events,” they explained.
“The fenced section was arranged 25 m wide so that each spectator is 1.5 m away from each other. Upon entering this fenced section we followed these guidelines: temperature measurement, names recorded, and masks and disinfectants provided. Data is stored for 14 days after the event,” according to the Split Tourist Board.
“Please note that we cannot control the actions of attendees and performers after the end of the program. Also, in compliance with the regulations of the National Civil Protection Headquarters — all choirs, orchestras, and dance groups were excluded from the program. The musicians and entertainers on stage respected social distance,” they concluded.
Split Mayor Opara: Photographers With Bad Intentions Wish to Show Public Out of Control
“This is a only a situation of residents who welcomed the first sunny day after 15 days of rain and could finally go outside. Those who want to connect yesterday’s outing on the waterfront with the Advent musical program are again wrong, because they are looking for a problem where there isn’t one. Today, there isn’t a musical program on the Split waterfront. And the waterfront and city are again full of people who are adhering to restrictions and wearing masks,” explained Split Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara according to Dalmacija danas.
The mayor also claimed that photographers with telephoto lenses had bad intentions and wanted to show the public that the mass of people was out of control.
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.
Croatia National Headquarters New Safety Restrictions
Croatia has officially closed night clubs, night bars, discos, casinos, slot machine clubs and fitness centers. Restaurants and cafes are also closed. However, restaurants may offer delivery and pick-up. Stores and businesses allowed to remain open must adhere to the capacities prescribed by Civil Protection Headquarters. All events and gatherings with more than 25 people are prohibited, funerals included.
Official Croatia Government measures from koronavirus.hr — original here and translation here. This decision went into effect at midnight on November 27, 2020 and applies until December 21, 2020.
Croatia initially imposed restrictions on entry effective December 1 through December 15. Those have been extended to January 15. More information here.
Other Croatia COVID-19 Announcements
No Testing at Dr. Andrija Štampar in Zagreb on Christmas and New Years Days
The Teaching Institute for Public Health (NZJZ) “Dr. Andrija Štampar” in Zagreb reported that on Christmas and New Year’s Day it will not test residents for COVID-19. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve testing will be conducted 9:00 to 11:00 CET.
Aside from the mentioned days, testing will be conducted in the NZJZ according to the regular schedule, and everyone is asked to apply through the available online platform here. The regular working hours of drive-in testing at the Institute (Mirogojska cesta 16) are from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 CET, on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00 CET and on Sundays from 8:00 to 12:00 CET.
New Restrictions for Stores and Shopping Centers Go Into Effect Saturday December 12
“As for the organization of shops and shopping centers, we have prepared a decision that refers to a special organization of shops from this Saturday to January 10. The number of customers who can be in a store will be limited so that stores which have up to 10 square meters of retail space can only have one customer. For stores from 11 to 100 square meters, there must be at least 10 square meters per customer. For stores up to 200 square meters there must be at least 12 square meters per customer. In addition, for stores up to 2000 square meters there must be at least 16 square meters per customer. And for those bigger than that, there must be at least 20 square meters,” explained Davor Bozinovic.
“For shopping centers, the maximum number of customers will be calculated so that is at least 16 square meters for each customer. Stores and shopping centers will have to clearly state this capacity at entrances and will have to strictly adhere to these limits. For shops with more than 2,000 square meters, additional epidemiological measures are being introduced. These include the suspension of organized transport for customers and the introduction of security guards to prevent entry of excessive numbers of customers. They must also remove or disable seating in the common areas of shopping centers and remove or disable entertainment appliances. The civil protection service will be provided with information on the ventilation and air exchange system,” Bozinovic added.
500 HRK Fine for Not Wearing a Mask According to Guidelines, or Wearing One Improperly
As of December 5, non-wearing or improper wearing of masks where they are mandatory will be punished with a 500 HRK fine (66 EUR).
In addition to the current provision that masks must be worn indoors, they are becoming mandatory in public places in the open where there increased chances of virus transmission — where it is not possible to maintain a meter and a half distance. These circumstances include waiting in lines, riding in elevators and at public transport stops.
Face masks or medical masks must be worn the correct way so that the nose and mouth are covered. They must be worn at all times by health care workers, retail employees, drivers and employees in public transport, worshippers during religious ceremonies, and parents who transport their children to kindergarten or school.
Some groups of people are excluded from wearing masks, like children under the age of two and those older children who cannot tolerate wearing a mask, as well as people with certain forms of disabilities or health problems. More information here (in Croatian).
Drive In COVID-19 Testing at Split Ferry Terminal Beginning Monday, November 30
Drive in testing will be available at the Split ferry port at external berth of the cruise terminal – from 07:00 to 13:00 CET beginning Monday November 30.
Testing will be available exclusively to people who have ordered online. Two separate testing points are set up at the mentioned location. There is one for people who come by car and use the drive in service and the other point is for those who arrive as pedestrians. It is important to note that beginning November 30 there will be no testing at Križine. Appointments for testing can be arranged here.
Zagreb Offers Free Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Testing Beginning Monday, November 23
As of Monday, November 23, the City of Zagreb started mass antigen testing for COVID-19, the results of which will be obtained in 15 minutes. There are currently 50,000 tests available. More information about making appointments, procedures, testing sites, contact information and hours of operation here.
Ministry of Interior Reminds Citizens and Residents to Visit Police Stations Only When Urgent
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.
Croatia Counties Strengthening Safety Restrictions to Control Spread of COVID-19
Several Croatia counties have strengthened safety restrictions 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 restrictions can be found here.
Croatia Travel Information
- Re-open EU here.
- canitravel.net here.
- Euronews Article: Where can I book a holiday in Europe? here.
- Detailed Croatia travel information, transportation, traffic updates and entry information here.
- Croatia imposed restrictions on entry effective December 1 through December 15. More information 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.
As of December 14, the ECDC discontinued daily updates on the 14-day cumulative notification rate. They will update once a week on Thursdays (the spreadsheet below reflects numbers for December 14).
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
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.
Follow this link for all Daily Croatia updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. UPDATED: 20:00 CET (Central European Time)
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