13 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Bulgaria

The number of Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria by 5 pm on April 18 reached 878, data of the National Crisis Headquarters show. 13 new cases were reported during the day-8 in Sofia, 3 in Sliven, 1 in Stara Zagora and 1 in Yambol.

246 people were admitted to hospital, of whom 35 are in intensive care units.

A total of 26,417 tests for coronavirus were made until 4.30 pm today, the Bulgarian Ministry of Health informs.

Mass testing of drivers in Sofia’s public transport for Covid-19 began

The situation in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia on Holy Saturday has been normal. At this point we are not planning to introduce additional traffic restrictions in Sofia due to the coronavirus epidemic, but there is no reason to repeal the measures that have been already adopted, Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova announced. Mayor Fadnakova pointed out that those who left the capital city before the Easter holidays will be subject to serious Police inspections on their way back to Sofia.

A mass testing of drivers in Sofia’s public transport for Covid-19 begins today. All drivers in Sofia’s ground public transport will be gradually tested for coronavirus infection.  Teams without direct contact between them have been working in the public transport in Bulgaria’s capital since the beginning of the epidemic.

Tension in Sofia’s Fakulteta residential district which is under blockade over Covid-19 epidemic has subsided

The situation in Fakulteta residential district in Sofia today is normal after yesterday’s tension and the protest against the restrictive measures adopted against the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandakova announced. The two residential districts Fakulteta and Filipovtsi, which are populated mainly by Romani, remain under quarantine due to the Covid-19 cases registered there. Mayor Fandakova called on the citizens not to provoke ethnic conflicts and tension. 

Bulgarian Orthodox Church: Let us pray for the people in the frontline in the fight against Covid-19

We pray for those who fight against the insidious infection and especially for the doctors, the medical staff and all who are now taking the heaviest burden in the battle for life, Bulgaria’s Patriarch Neophyte and the Metropolitans of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church state in their message to the people on occasion of Christ’s Resurrection.

This year we celebrate Easter in an unusual atmosphere. Together with the affliction of the experienced tragedy and the firm faith and hope in the universal resurrection and eternal life, may we use the latest events as a reason to look within ourselves and ask ourselves how we live today- each of us individually and all together as a society, the message further reads.

Temples in Bulgaria remain almost empty on Holy Saturday

The Saint Alexander Nevsky cathedral in Sofia remained almost empty during the service on Holy Saturday headed by the Right Reverend Bishop Gerasim of Melnik. Most churches in Bulgaria also remained almost empty. The laity took the calls of the National Crisis Headquarters to stay at home, in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church decided to keep the churches open for the believes. However, the festive liturgies will be held in front of the temples and the people attending the services must keep at least two meter distance from one another.

Family from Chicago donates Easter lunch and sweet bread to people in need in Harmanli

On the eve of Easter 16 families from the town of Harmali, South Bulgaria, received an Easter lunch and sweet bread (Kozunak). The donation includes lamb meat and 50 sweet breads made by Zhelevi family who live in Chicago. Harmaly Mayor Mariya Kirkova expressed special gratitude to the donors for their empathy.

Covid-19 epidemic leads to huge losses in the film industry

The cinema projects in Bulgaria were suspended due to the Covid-19 epidemic. It affects thousands of people down the chain. Between 200 and 300 people usually participate in one film production in Bulgaria. All these people are now jobless and this seems to be going on for a long time, film producer Borislav Chuchkov told BGNES agency. The distribution companies and the cinema halls are affected first. In Borislav Chuchkov’s words, light economic measures are undertaken in the culture field, which is among the most affected sectors by the Covid-19 epidemic. According to the Bulgarian film producer, the money earmarked for culture in Bulgaria is too scanty.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

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