News roundup - Sunday, 15 August

95 new coronavirus infections reported for Saturday

LJUBLJANA - Out of 920 PCR tests performed on Saturday, 95 came back positive, the highest daily case count over weekends since 6 June, as the epidemiological situation kept deteriorating in Slovenia, show fresh data by the National Institute of Public Health. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 residents increased by one to 99 and the 7-day average of new cases grew by three to 183. The number of active cases in the country rose by 36 to 2,150.

Ljubljana archbishop urges mutual respect on Assumption Day

BREZJE - Marking Assumption of Mary, Archbishop of Ljubljana Stanislav Zore called for open-mindedness, acceptance and mutual respect as he said mass at Brezje, Slovenia's biggest pilgrimage site. Zore urged people to get vaccinated with pilgrims to Brezje having a chance to get a jab on the spot. According to the head of the Brezje Pilgrimage Office Andreja Eržen Firšt, a few hundred people gathered for the mass, which was held outdoors, a scaled-down figure due to Covid-19. The government described Assumption of Mary as a holiday of hope and faith in the fullness of life, wishing everyone peace on this day.

Olympic champion Roglič wins 1st stage of Vuelta race

VALLADOLID, Spain - Slovenian Olympic champion in time trial Primož Roglič won the first stage of the 2021 Vuelta a Espana, another time trial, on Saturday to take the red jersey already at the start of his bid to defend the 2020 Vuelta title. His compatriot Jan Tratnik finished third. Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), who aims to claim the title for the third year in a row, kept the red jersey after today's stage two.

Slovenian Caritas launching campaign to help quake-stricken Haiti

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian Caritas, a Catholic charity, launched a fund-raising campaign to help Haiti, whose plight has been worsened in the wake of Saturday's major earthquake. The organisation has already donated EUR 5,000 to the cause and intends to forward the money to Caritas Haiti. Caritas Slovenia has urged everyone to donate either via a special bank account or by texting KARITAS5 to 1919, thus donating EUR 5.