Serbia announced a record coronavirus death toll for a single day on Friday, as the government hit back at protests over its handling of the pandemic, AFP reports.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the Balkan state recorded 18 fatalities and 386 new cases over 24 hours in what she described as a “dramatic increase.” At the same time, Brnabic slammed as “irresponsible” protests held for a third straight day in Belgrade and other cities on Thursday, after demonstrations in the capital on the previous two days had spilled over into violence.

“With regard to the demonstrations, there is no more irresponsible behaviour right now,” said Brnabic.

“We shall see the results of the protests in three to four days,” she said and called on people “to respect the measures in place” to restrict the spread of the virus.