For the latest March 20 update click here.
March 9, 2020 – There are 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Croatia, 3 of whom are in serious condition. More than 3,995 people are dead from the virus, which originated in Wuhan City, China; and over 113,975 cases have been confirmed globally. There are 33,200 cases outside of mainland China and 9,172 in Italy.
*Follow this page for updates on the coronavirus in Croatia from Total Croatia News. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.
Thirteen Coronavirus Cases in Croatia
As of March 9, 2020; thirteen Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have been reported in Croatia: 5 in Rijeka, 3 in Zagreb, 4 in Varaždin and 1 in Pula.
- The first patient is from Zagreb who became infected during his stay in Italy (Milan, Lombardy province). The two other patients from Zagreb are close contacts of the first patient.
- A patient from Rijeka became infected during a stay in Italy (Parma). The four other patients from Rijeka are close contacts of the third patient.
- The first patient from Varaždin stayed in Milan with three friends. The second confirmed case from Varaždin is a truck driver who had been in Italy and was in preventative self-isolation. The third and fourth Varaždin cases are close contacts of the driver.
- In Pula, the first coronavirus infection was confirmed this evening. He is a Croatian citizen who works in Italy and is currently hospitalized.
Live World Coronavirus Updates
- Live world updates from CNN here.
- Live world updates from The Guardian here.
- Live world updates from Al Jazeera here.
Live Health Organization Coronavirus Updates
- Live updated international map tracking spread of coronavirus from Johns Hopkins CSSE here.
- Live updates from the World Health Organization (WHO) here.
- Live updates from the Croatian Institute of Public Health (daily updates at 15:00 CET in Croatian) here.
UPDATED: March 9, 2020 22:00 CET (Central European Time)
Croatia National Coronavirus Update
In their daily press conference, which began today at 16:00 CET, the Croatia National Civil Protection Headquarters has ordered all foreign nationals entering Croatia from countries with focal coronavirus outbreaks to be under compulsory quarantine for 14 days. They also recommended postponing rallies attended by more than 1,000 people.
- President of the Civil Protection Staff Davor Bozinovic said on Monday that foreign nationals entering Croatia from infection hotspots (China, Italy, South Korea) will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine and Croatian citizens will receive an order for a 14-day self-isolation.
- They also suggest that citizens delay travel to countries affected by coronavirus.
- Bozinovic stressed that all gatherings attended by more than 1000 people should be postponed, and the organizers of gatherings, which would eventually take place, are obliged to ensure the highest hygiene standards, as well as maintain areas with disinfectants.
- All gathering participants should be given clear instructions to refrain from the usual non-verbal communication that involves avoiding shaking hands and close social contact.
- Bozinovic said that people with respiratory illnesses and fever should not attend such events, and before the event starts the organizer will need to obtain approval from the county civil protection headquarters and the competent public health institute.
“In Croatia, the epidemiological situation is still calm, we have only 12 (13 as of this evening) infected. That is why we have decided on an additional package of preventive measures. We have decided to take measures to preserve public health in Croatia,” Croatian Health Minister Vili Beros reported.
Before Measures, 600 Italians Had Entered Croatia Within 24 Hours
“Transmission in some Italian cities is obviously not controllable and that’s why they those areas are closed, and people have to stay at home. 600 Italians have entered Croatia in the last 24 hours. We have introduced new measures. Up until now they have been allowed to move freely. Now we have been compelled to introduce a quarantine measure,” Krunoslav Capak, Croatian Health Director, reported. He did not specify how many Italian citizens had entered Croatia from coronavirus hotspots in Italy.
“If they choose not to quarantine, they will have to return to their country,” he added.
“These are the same areas that the Italian government has closed, which is a perfectly reasonable measure,” added minister Bozinovic.
“I’m sure we will all agree upon when these measures should be discontinued. It’s good news that the (number of new) infections has decreased in the places (in other countries) where they originated. We believe that this will happen in Italy as well. But today it’s not possible to say when that will happen,” Bozinovic concluded.
Markotic: Patients Stable, Three with Serious Symptoms
Alemka Markotic, Director of University Hospital for Infectious Diseases Dr. Fran Mihaljevic, said there were no new changes regarding patients.
“They (three) have showed symptoms for several days, fever, cough, malaise, and one required oxygen for a short period of time; which is to be expected for this illness,” she added.
Croatia and Regional Daily Updates
22:00 – All of Italy is under quarantine because of the coronaviruse. Italian citizens will be allowed to go to work, see a doctor, and move around for emergencies. All sports events are have been cancelled and classes are postponed until April 3.
18:40 – In Italy, 97 people died in the last 24 hours. There were 1797 new infections reported. More.
18:35 – A second case of infection has been confirmed in Serbia.
18:20 – The 13th case of coronavirus infection was confirmed in Croatia, in Pula. More.
17:30 – A fourth case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Bosnia. More.
15:57 – More ski resorts in southern Tyrol, Austria will close their trails before the end of the season due to the coronavirus crisis, Slovenian news agency STA announced on Monday, according to Austrian agency APA.
15:26 – HZZO (Croatian National Health System) explained in a statement that people in self-isolation should seek wage compensation. More.
15:22 – The Croatian Road Carriers Association asks the government to allocate part of their taxes and contributions for their employees to overcome the difficulties caused by the situation in Italy, as well as to help defer the repayment of the leasing installment and loans for the vehicles they have purchased. More.
15:20 – Two families in Cres are in isolation because they provided accommodations for foreigners with the coronavirus. More.
14:48 – The number of those infected in Slovenia has climbed to 23. “By 14:00 CET, 23 cases of coronavirus infection were confirmed in Slovenia and 1227 tests have been performed,” the Slovenian government announced on Twitter. Fifteen patients are hospitalized in Ljubljana, and it is not known where at this time.
14:31 – British Airways and easyJet cancel flights to northern Italy. Flights to and from Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bergamot and Venice have been cancelled.
14:30 – The BBC reports that riots have erupted in 27 Italian prisons. More.
13:57 – Two major events in Croatia cancelled due to the coronavirus. This is the Digital Takeover 2020 Summit as well as Danima komunikacija (Communication Days). More.
13:22 – After a rebellion broke out in Modena last night, during which six people died, a riot of prisoners in several Italian prisons ensued. At the moment, law enforcement is trying to suppress a rebellion in the Follia prison where some prisoners have managed to escape but were stopped. Ten inmates who escaped from prison were arrested by police. Prisoners also ignited a fire outside the prison entrance. The prison is still under police siege.
At least seven inmates have fled and are being sought. More.
12:55 – Briton Greg Foster, who lives in Matera, southern Italy, told the BBC that the situation there was tense and discouraging. “The mayor has closed all major facilities, such as wedding halls and concert halls, and many offices are also closing doors,” he said, adding that “there is a lot of tension.”
12:43 – No coronavirus infections in Osijek-Baranja County, and a patient who came from Italy was admitted to the KBC in Osijek last night, but his findings were negative, a press conference by the County Civil Protection Headquarters reported on Monday. Disinfection of border crossings are also taking place within the county.
12:40 – The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued instructions that all mass gatherings should be canceled in order to prevent the possibility of the spread of coronaviruses. case of coronavirus infection in BiH recorded in the territory of that entity, that is, Banja Luka. More.
11:05 – Serbia has made the decision to cancel all school trips. The ban applies to high school and university trips and student and student exchanges and applies to all schools and universities. More.
10:10 – Three people infected with the coronavirus in Croatia are worse off than others, but their lives are not in danger.
These are two patients from Rijeka and one from Varaždin, but they are not life-threatening. He explained that there is evidence of changes in the lungs of three patients. More.
9:48 – All those who violate the prohibition of movement in Italy without having a valid justification are threatened with up to three months in jail with a fine of up to 206 EUR. But it looks like those penalties will be further tightened, reports Corriere della Serra.
UPDATED: March 9, 2020 22:00 CET (Central European Time)
For the latest March 20 update click here.
*Follow this page for updates on the coronavirus in Croatia from Total Croatia News. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.
