Epidemiological situation improves, but uptick in new cases expected

The epidemiological situation in Slovakia continues to improve, but the emergence of new Omicron subvariant BA.2 and the lifting of restrictions have combined to significantly slow down the decline in new cases. These are expected to start growing again in the following days, Health Analysis Institute head Matej Misik reported on Wednesday. In comparison to the previous week, the number of new cases continues to diminish, as do the hospitalisations and there are fewer patients in need of artificial lung ventilation. These declining numbers can be seen across all Slovak regions. The BA.2 variant is becoming dominant also in Slovakia, detected in 38 percent of sequenced cases in the last 28 days. Misik asked the public to stay vigilant and exercise caution.