Health Minister Vili Beros said on Thursday that Croatia was entering a phase of  intensified inoculation against Covid-19 and that, as of this week, significant quantities of vaccines are expected.

“Despite the fall in the number of Covid patients, the pressure on the hospital system is still quite significant. We are registering graver clinical conditions among younger people. The virus isn’t choosing, but we can – to opt for vaccination as it saves lives,” said Beroš, calling on Croatians to sign up for vaccination.

Of the latest 360 sequenced samples, 57 are the British variant which is a significant fall in the circulation of that variant compared to 13 April when its share was 96 percent. The South African variant was present in two samples.

“Croatia has received 1.3 million doses of vaccines to date, however we are at a milestone now. This week markedly greater quantities are arriving and that will continue throughout May and June,” said Beros. To date 979,000 doses have been administered.

More than one in five Croats get vaccinated

Last Thursday a record 46,887 doses were administered in one day and one in every five people have been inoculated or 20.9 percent of the population have received at least one dose. More than 18.7 percent of people aged more than 55 have been inoculated and almost 56 percent of the population aged 70 or more have received at least one dose.

The highest percentage of people who have received at least one shot are in Zagreb (20.5 percent), followed by Sisak-Moslavina County (8.1 percent).

The national Covid response team adopted 11 decisions, four of them are at the national level and relate to extending restrictions of public gathering, crossing borders and the work of hospitality venues until May 15.