Peak of COVID-19 infection in Bulgaria expected around Easter

The number of COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria rose to 549, the National Crisis Headquarters announced. On April 6 eight new cases of COVID-19 were registered-all of them in Sofia. 201 patients were admitted in hospitals. 26 people are receiving intensive medical treatment. A total of 22 COVID-19 deaths have been registered since the beginning of the crisis. Two people passed away on Monday. They had other accompanying illnesses as well. 30 Bulgarian medics were diagnosed with COVID-19, which is 5.5% of all coronavirus cases in this country. There have been no new areas affected of coronavirus in the past 24 hours. There is no accurate statistics on the number of infected Bulgrians abroad and the only available information comes from the Bulgarian ambassadors, the head of the National Crisis Headquarters General Ventislav Mutafchiyski said during the morning briefing. The Peak of the COVID-19 infection in Bulgaria is  expected around Easter, General Ventislav Mutafchiyski added quoting models of mathematicians from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Municipal hospitals ready to treat nearly 3,000 patients with COVID-19

2,908 hospital beds out of all 7,400 beds in the municipal hospitals will be used for medical treatment of COVID-19 patients. 233 beds will be used for intensive treatments of patients diagnosed with coronavirus, the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria announced. The local authorities alarm about a lack of trained medical specialists. It also became clear that most of the medics employed at the municipal hospitals are in the high risk group. The money for maintenance, reconstruction and refurbishment of the hospitals which are being prepared to treat patients with COVID-19 comes from the municipal budgets and from donations.

Bulgaria makes protective equipment mandatory at farmer’s markets

Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev issued an order related to the functioning of the cooperative and the farmer’s markets. According to the new regulation, enclosures will prevent gathering of large groups of people. Secondly, people must walk only in one direction and a minimum distance of 2 meters between sellers and customers must be kept. Moreover, clients and sellers must wear protective equipment.

Bulgaria’s National Assembly holds extraordinary sitting

The National Assembly of Bulgaria held an extraordinary meeting on the first day of the week. The main topics on the agenda were the final adoption of the update of the state budget for 2020 and changes in the Law on measures and actions during the state of emergency. The Bulgarian MPs decided to reduce their wages due to the coronavirus crisis.

Young people are most concerned about state of emergency in Bulgaria

A poll by the Faculty of Philosophy at Sofia University shows that the state of emergency caused by the coronavirus crisis in Bulgaria is of the utmost concern to young people. The group of those under 29 has been experiencing the highest levels of sadness, anxiety, fear and panic. People over 49 have the lowest sense of threat from the situation. People with higher education experience greater discomfort because of restrictions on social life and those living in the countryside are more optimistic. According to psychologists, despite the extraordinary nature of the situation, participants in the study do not perceive it as extremely stressful.

Bulgarian hospitals to receive 85% of the expected revenues

Following an agreement between the Bulgarian Medical Association and the National Health Insurance Fund, all hospitals working with the health insurance fund will receive 85% of the expected revenues, regardless of their activity reported since the beginning of the state of emergency. The agreement guarantees that all health specialists and medics will receive their salaries, despite the limited activity of the hospitals due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Bulgarian Medical Association announced.

Number of Bulgarian companies applying for state financial assistance under 60/40 scheme doubles

643 Bulgarian employers have so far submitted applications for financial assistance under the 60/40 scheme proposed by the Bulgarian authorities for the state of emergency period. The number of applications almost doubled as compared to the end of last week. These companies are seeking financial assistance from the state to pay the wages of 7,231 employees. These are mainly small companies in the hotel and restaurant industry and the processing industry.

EU Ministers of Justice discuss judicial topics amidst COVID-19 crisis

Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Danail Kirilov participated at a video conference meeting of the EU Justice Ministers. The ministers discussed ways to improve coordination amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The EU Ministers of Justice also exchanged information on the latest measures related to the functioning of the judicial system, cross-border judicial cooperation, suspension of time limits and deadlines connected to court proceedings, the risk of coronavirus infection in the prisons, etc. The ministers also discussed the penalties imposed by the member states for non-compliance with the restrictions.

Bulgaria should not stop seasonal workers reach their workplace: EC spokesperson

Bulgaria should not stop seasonal workers reach their workplace abroad, a spokesperson of the Commission told Sega daily. The guidelines for the free movement of workers during the coronavirus pandemic clearly show that foreign workers must be allowed to cross the EU borders as long as work in certain sectors is still permitted in the host country, the spokesperson points out. It is the responsibility of the national authorities to make sure that these workers will not be infected by COVID-19 and will receive adequate medical treatment, the spokesperson further says.

Bulgarian scientists invented filter against COVID-19

Bulgarian scientists have invented a filter which purifies air from mechanical, chemical and biological pollutants. The hydro-cyclone system has been developed entirely by Bulgarian scientist and is a complete technology for destruction of viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19, PhD student Viktor Stoyanov told the Bulgarian National Radio. The effectiveness of the technology is protected by a number of patents. It was not designed specifically for COVID-19. It is used for many purposes and the first prototype was made back in 2006 in a bioengineering laboratory, the Bulgarian scientist adds.

Bulgarian football tournaments to resume after the end of the state of emergency

All football players and club officials will be tested for COVID-19 three days before training is resumed, the Bulgarian Football Union announced. The football tournaments and the games in the First Professional Football League and the Second Professional Football League will start three weeks after the National Crisis Headquarters allows the clubs to resume the training process. Thus, the teams will be able to prepare well for the official games. The end of all football tournaments will depend on the EUFA recommendations.

Disinfection of Sofia has been resumed

Sofia Municipality has reported that with the improvement of weather conditions, cleaning companies in Sofia have resumed disinfection of city streets and boulevards. The disinfection of urban transport and garbage containers also continues. The measures have been resumed in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

You can find all stories and important publications related to COVID-19 in Bulgaria at our special coverage section in English.

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