ZAGREB, April 25 – There have been 7 new COVID-19 cases reported in Croatia in the last 24 hours, the national crisis management team said at Saturday’s press conference.

Today’s new cases bring the total tally of cases to 2,015. Since late February, Croatia has conducted 30,913 tests, including 700 in the last 24 hours, and the percentage of positive cases is 6.52%.

There have been three more COVID-19-related fatalities in the last 24 hours. The latest victims were patients born in 1922, 1930, and 1952, all with chronic underlying health conditions. Currently, the death toll stands at 54.

The latest data shows that 316 patients are being treated in hospitals, nine less than Friday. The number of patients on ventilators is 21.

There have been 1034 recoveries to date. A total of 13,462 people are in self-isolation.

The 7 news cases were in Zagreb, Split, Sibenik, Krapina-Zagorje County (2) and Koprivnica-Križevci County (2).

Croatia is set now to begin the first phase of relaxing lockdown measures.

The first phase, starting on Monday, 27 April, will enable the opening of all retail entities apart from those in shopping centres, the exception being those stores that have been operating in shopping centres the entire time since the introduction of restrictions.

Services too will be able to operate except those that require close contact with clients, on the condition physical distance is respected. This refers to tailors, key cutters, cobblers, tourist agencies and the like.

Public city and suburban lines, as well as fast-speed lines to islands that are not connected with ferry lines, will start operating again. Libraries, museums, galleries, second-hand and regular book shops too will be allowed to open.

Athletes will be allowed to recommence training in individual sports as will those competing in professional senior team sports.

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