December 24, 2020 — In the past 24 hours, Croatia reported 2,233 new COVID-19 cases. There are currently 15,323 active cases. Seventy (70) have died. There are 48,054 people in self-isolation.
Follow this link for all Daily Croatia updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. UPDATED: 19:00 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
2,233 — New cases
15,323 — Active cases
2,749 — Treated in hospitals
292 — On ventilators
70 — Deceased
2,797 — Recovered
8,343 — Tested
48,054 — In self-isolation
Cumulative COVID-19 Data
202,319 — Total cases (since 25.02.20)
183,532 — Total recovered (since 25.02.20)
3,464 — Total deceased (since 25.02.20)
982,850 — 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
207 — Tested
36 — New cases (12 — from antigen tests)
17% — Percent positive
26 — COVID-19 positive contacts
47 — Recovered
43 — Hospitalized
7 — On ventilators (6 — invasive, 1 — non-invasive, oxygen)
837 — In self-isolation (0 — violations)
Towns and Cities — There are 11 people from Dubrovnik, six from Konavle, five from Ploče, three from Korčula, Lumbarda and Župa dubrovačka, one each from the Dubrovnik littoral, Metković, Opuzen and Orebić, and one person who does not reside in the county.
Forty-seven (47) people recovered: 17 from Korčula, 13 from Metković, eight from Dubrovnik, three from Lumbarda, two each from Konavle and Ploče, and one each from Blato and Opuzen.
Additional Details — N/A
Istra County
373 — Tested
57 — New cases
15% — Percent positive
41 — COVID-19 positive contacts (or self-isolation)
49 — Recovered
64 — Hospitalized
4 — On ventilators
1,602 — Self-isolation
Additional Details — For 2 people, epidemiologically, these are imported cases from Rijeka (2).
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
N/A — Tested
256 — New cases
N/A — Percent positive
N/A — Recovered
N/A — Hospitalized
N/A — On ventilators
Split-Dalmatia County
908 — Tested
243 — New cases
27% — Percent positive
157 — COVID-19 positive contacts
158 — Hospitalized
14 — On ventilators
3,625 — In self-isolation
Towns and Cities — Split 106, Hvar 1, Imotski 2, Kastela 19, Makarska 10, Omis 8, Sinj 16, Solin 14, Trilj 2, Trogir 11, Vrgorac 4, Brela 1, Dicmo 1, Dugi Rat 4, Dugopolje 4, Gradac 1, Jelsa 2, Klisa 7, Lovrec 2, Marina 1, Muc 1, Okrug 1, Podbablje 10, Podgora 1, Podstrana 7, Primorski Doc 1, Proložac 2, Pučišća 1, Runovići 2, Seget 2 and Cista Provo 1 person.
Zadar County
299 — Tested
57 — New cases
19% — Percent positive
N/A — Recovered
80 — Hospitalized (60 — Zadar, 20 — Biograd)
9 — On ventilators
2,258 — In self-isolation
Towns and Cities — Zadar (34), Benkovac (4), Biograd (1), Nin (2) and Obrovac (1) and the municipalities Bibinje (3), Pasman (1), Poličnik (2), Posedarje (1), Preko (1), Privlaka (3), Ražanac (1), Stankovci (1), Vir (1) and Vrsi (1).
Additional Details — Twenty-eight (28) patients are currently infected with COVID-19 at the Ugljan Psychiatric Hospital. By 08:00 this morning, the Zadar County Civil Protection Headquarters had received 5,016 requests for passes, and 3,216 had been approved (64%).
Zagreb City
1,125 — Tested
227 — Positive
20% — Percent positive
684 — Antigen tests
182 — Positive from antigen tests
27% — Percent positive from antigen tests
420 — Recovered
143 — COVID-19 positive contacts
533 — New in self-isolation
9 — In quarantine
Additional Details — Thirty-one (31) people are residents/employees of elderly homes and other social welfare institutions. Two people were exposed at the workplace, Two people arrived from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy. Six people may have been exposed at health facilities.
Positive test results for 36 residents and five employees have been confirmed in homes for the elderly and infirm and other social institutions in Zagreb. In addition, positive test results were confirmed for 10 students and one teacher, so self-isolation was ordered for 185 primary school students.
Zagreb County
284 — New cases
326 — Recovered
Towns and Cities — 36 Samobor, 17 Sveta Nedjelja, 24 Zaprešić, 19 Jastrebarsko, 60 Velika Gorica, 21 Ivanić-Grad, 12 Dugo Selo, 6 Vrbovec 11 Sveti Ivan Zelina, municipalities – 8 Brdovec , 3 Bistra, 6 Jakovlje, 5 Luka, 2 Marija Gorica, 1 Dubravica, 6 Klinča Sela, 1 Stupnik, 4 Pisarovina, 2 Žumberak, 6 Krašić, 2 Orle, 1 Kravarsko, 2 Pokupsko, 5 Kloštar Ivanić, 11 Križ, 5 Brckovljani, 2 Rugvica, 4 Dubrava, 1 Farkaševac, 1 Bedenica
Additional Details — Self-isolation was ordered for students in two classes of primary school. In the home for the elderly and infirm in Dugo Selo, 18 positive residents and three employees were identified.
Announcements — Testing center information here.
COVID-19 News in Past 48 Hours
Thursday December 24
Index Shares Video of Crowds on Cvjetni Trg in Zagreb, Nobody Adhering to Restrictions
A link to the Index video showing dense crowds of people on Cvjetni trg — in the center of Zagreb — not wearing masks, drinking, socializing and ignoring social-distancing guidelines can be found here.
112,000 Pass Requests by Wednesday Evening, 400 Without Passes Sent Home
By yesterday at 19:00, 112,000 passes had been requested, according to Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic.
About 400 people who tried to travel without passes were sent back home, and there were also those in self-isolation who wanted to leave counties. Most passes are issued by local headquarters. Cases not foreseen by the Headquarters are handled by the Directorate of Civil Protection.
Damir Trut, Assistant to Minister Božinović, commented on the whole situation. He indicated that their staff was overwhelmed by so many requests, most of which he called completely unrealistic.
What are some of the excuses of those without passes?
“From the excuse that they did not know that they needed a pass, to the fact that their pass did not arrive, or that they were not approved. There are all kinds of excuses,” Tomo Medved reveals in an interview for RTL Danas.
He added that the police expect that the greatest pressure will be on the checkpoints over the next few days and that it will subside after that.
Krunoslav Capak on Vaccine Arrivals
The director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, Krunoslav Capak, said on HRT Dnevnik that Croatia had reached an agreement with Pfizer regarding delivery, which is by the end of the first quarter of the year — or March. He added that we should have received approximately 275,000 doses of the (Pfizer) vaccine by then.
Capak stressed that he does not know anything about delivery timelines for other manufacturers yet. He noted that the registration of Moderna’s vaccine is expected on January 6. Family doctors will play a role in vaccinations, but it depends on the local organization,” Capak explained.
Wednesday December 23
More Than 105,000 Pass Requests Submitted, Half Rejected
At 00:01 CET this morning, the ban on movement between counties came went into effect, but requests for passes have not stopped arriving. The number of requests for passes has exceeded 100,000 — and more than half of the requests have been rejected so far.
As Index learned, 105,494 requests arrived by 14:00 CET — 47,085 were accepted and 47,021 were rejected. In addition, 17,688 requests are pending.
At midnight, police across the country set up checkpoints at county borders to regulate entry for anyone who wants to move from one county to another. Passes are required to move from one county to another.
Police Turning Back People Attempting to Cross County Borders Without Passes
This morning, Assistant Chief of the Police Administration Dragan Tokić said that they turned back citizens and residents without passes.
“Although most citizens and residents respect the decision, as of 7:00 — 20 people were returned to their places of residence because they did not have passes. Two (2) people who were ordered to self-isolate were also discovered,” Tokic told Croatian Radio this morning.
Positive Antigen Tests are Not Being Counted in New Infections
Standard day-to-day PCR tests for COVID-19 show a promising downward trend in the number of people infected, so today there are 2763 newly infected people in Croatia, while seven days ago there were 3327.
“After a significant increase in the number of confirmed cases in recent months, the current trend is encouraging. The total number of cases in the last seven days is just over 17,000, which is 28 percent less than the previous seven days, and then there were already three percent fewer cases than the week before. This means that the number of confirmed cases has been falling for two weeks now,” said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Although the numbers are undoubtedly encouraging, there are still many infected people, especially if we add to that number patients who are positive for antigen tests, which are not included in the daily report of the Headquarters.
Rapid Antigen Tests Used in Most Large Cities, Only Dubrovnik Neretva County Includes Them
Rapid antigen tests are used to test people in almost all large cities, but the number of people detected by them is not included in the daily number of new cases (except for Dubrovnik-Neretva County). According to Krunoslav Capak, Director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, WHO and the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention do not consider the antigen test results but only the PCR test results.
“These trends in PCR testing do show a decline, but what about antigen tests? In other European countries, rapid antigen tests are confirmed by PCR tests. Negative rapid antigen tests should be confirmed by the gold standard, a PCR test. Furthermore, positive rapid antigen test should be added to the total number of infected,” says pulmonologist Dr. Saša Srića.
Yesterday, for example, there were about a thousand more people in Croatia whose infection was confirmed by rapid antigen testing, but they were not added to the total number.
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 restrictions 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. These restrictions have been extended to January 10, 2021 with the following additions:
- A maximum of 10 people from a maximum of 2 different households may be present at private gatherings and ceremonies.
- It is recommended that Mass celebrations be broadcast whenever possible via radio, TV or in any other way that will allow worshippers to attend Mass without coming to religious facilities. On December 24 and 25, 2020, as an exception, Mass celebrations should be held in accordance with special recommendations and instructions of the Croatian Institute of Public Health.
Croatia initially imposed restrictions on entry effective December 1 through December 15. Those have been extended to January 15, 2021. More information here.
Other Croatia COVID-19 Announcements
Passes Required to Leave County of Residence With Certain Exceptions
The National Civil Protection Headquarters announced the details of the introduction of passes at today’s press conference. Passes will therefore be required to leave a county, and the ban on leaving counties without passes will be valid from 00:01 December 23 to January 8.
Official announcement here (in Croatian) and a translation with answers to frequently asked questions here. Answers to additional questions here.
The ban on leaving counties will not apply to:
- Staff necessary for traffic maintenance and supply.
- Daily movement of employees in services important for: provision of health and veterinary protection, delivery of medicines and sanitary items, maintenance for communal activities, water supply and drainage, gas and electricity supply and security services.
- Public reporting.
- Patients requiring medical care.
- Travel to and from work, if necessary, which cannot be done from home.
- Emergency and operational services involved in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Diplomatic staff.
- People who have paid reservations at hotels which are still working.
For more information about passes:
[email protected] (for residents with e-građanin, 00:00 – 24:00 CET)
[email protected] (for everyone else, 00:00 – 24:00 CET)
0800 80 90 (08:00 – 20:00 CET)
e-Propusnica website here
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.
- Croatia imposed restrictions on entry effective December 1 through December 15. Those have been extended to January 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 COVID-19 cases/deaths per 100,000. They now update once a week on Thursdays (the most recent spreadsheet reflects numbers as of December 23).
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
Since the ECDC has discontinued daily updates on the 14-day cumulative COVID-19 cases/deaths per 100,000, Daily Croatia will continue to compile new case and deaths to reflect the 7-day cumulative COVID-19 cases/deaths per 100,000. We believe that using a 7-day, rather than a 14-day window, will more effectively track epidemiological shifts. This spreadsheet will be updated daily.
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: 19:00 CET (Central European Time)
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