Croatia's capital launches drive-in testing for coronavirus

Medical personnel prepare for drive-in testing at Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health in Zagreb, Croatia, on March 31, 2020. A convenient drive-in testing for COVID-19 was initiated here on Tuesday as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continued to grow at a steady rate. Croatia's National Civil Protection Headquarters announced at a daily briefing 77 new COVID-19 cases with the total number standing at 867. (Emica Elvedji/Pixsell via Xinhua)

ZAGREB, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A convenient drive-in testing for coronavirus was initiated here on Tuesday as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continued to grow at a steady rate.

The new way of testing at Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health would speed up diagnosis and increase the number of tested people here, the Institute said.

The testing will go on through family doctors and patients will be tested without getting off their cars.

Croatia's National Civil Protection Headquarters announced at a daily briefing 77 new COVID-19 cases with the total number standing at 867.

More than 7,000 people have been tested since the outbreak of coronavirus in Croatia, 611 in the last 24 hours.

So far there have been six confirmed deaths, 32 people are put on a ventilator, and 67 people have been cured.

Health Minister Vili Beros said at the briefing that there is no significant increase of new patients, which indicates that Croatia's measures against the epidemic are effective.

He noted that the health system is returning to a normal mode of functioning after the initial shock caused by the outbreak.

According to the authorities, there hadn't been a sharp increase of coronavirus patients since a magnitude-5.4 earthquake hit Zagreb on March 22.

After the earthquake, despite the lockdown in the city, thousands of people ran out into the streets and violated social distancing measures.

In the past few days, Croatia has purchased from China more than 20 tons of protective masks, suits, and goggles.