Health authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have reported 32 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours as they urging citizens to increase caution and adhere to social distancing since the epidemiological situation seems to be getting worse.

A total of 2,704 people have tested positive for the coronavirus so far and 160 died due to COVID-19, while 2,123 recovered, according to data the Ministry for Civil Affairs published on Monday.

Authorities in both semi-autonomous entities in the country began gradually lifting the measures introduced to keep the virus from spreading, including curfews, full movement bans for the elderly and minors, and closing non-essential businesses.

Although Bosnia’s curve seemed to be flattening for a while, new clusters emerged in the country – such as in the northern towns of Tesanj and Modrica.

Bosnia’s Federation (FBiH) entity registered 24 new coronavirus cases since Sunday, while another eight people tested positive in the RS. According to Adem Zalihic, the director of Sarajevo’s Institute of Emergency Health Care, said the epidemiological situation is “difficult” at the moment.

“It’s obvious that the increased frequency of people and goods after the measures have been lifted has caused a small increase,” he told N1.

He stressed that citizens should adhere to social distancing and keep hygiene at an increased level.

“We understand that people want to live and work again, but if, God forbid, another peak of the epidemic occurs because then we would need to have strong restrictions again. The pandemic is not over, we still have sporadic cases and clusters,” he explained.