Covid-19 in Bulgaria: Day 43 -

Registered Covid-19 infections in Bulgaria reach 894

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria as of 5 pm Bulgarian time on April 19, 2020, have reached 894 according to data from the National Crisis Staff. There have been 10 new cases confirmed today, with 6 in Sofia, 2 in Sliven, 1 in Plovdiv and 1 in Yambol. Currently, 259 persons with confirmed Covid-19 infection are in hospital, 36 of them are in intensive care units.

69 are medical staff with confirmed coronavirus infection. The number of coronavirus-related deaths are 42, and 161 patients have so far recovered.

The Chief of National Crisis Staff, Gen. Ventsislav Mutafchiisky, reported that the overall mortality rate for the country is being compared to the mortality rate from Covid-19 to determine whether there is any hidden mortality that is not included in the statistics.

Bulgaria to restore full operation of hospitals, consultations for pregnant women, immunizations next week

The phased restoration of the operation of hospitals in Bulgaria is to start. The counseling of pregnant women and young children as well as immunizations of children according to the national immunization calendar will resume next week.

The effect of Easter travelling to be felt in 10 days, says head of Pirogov Hospital

Most of the Bulgarian citizens comply with the established anti-epidemic measures, as there is a small percentage of those who do not abide by them. In no case have we reached the peak in morbidity and so we should not loosen the restrictive measures. In the next two weeks, cases of coronavirus infections in Bulgaria may double. This was a prediction made by the director of Sofia's Pirogov Emergency Hospital, Prof. Assen Baltov, in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television.

During the Easter holidays, some citizens have made trips to other places and the results will become visible in about 10 days, the expert said. According to him, this will be felt not so much in Sofia, but in the smaller towns where the medical facilities are not at the level of the big Sofia-based hospitals.

Easter in times of pandemic: God hears our prayers both in churches and at home

This year’s Orthodox Easter is going amidst conditions of global pandemic and a state of emergency as the traditional Pascal liturgies on Saturday evening and Sunday morning was held outside churches where only few people attended the service. Most believers observed the recommendations of the National Crisis Staff and chose to pray at their homes to prevent the spread of Covid-19. They had the opportunity to watch the church services online as those who attended them in the churches had protective masks, did not carry flowers and observed social distancing.

Priest Kalistrat from Mount Athos: Bulgaria is an example of unity of society, the church and state authorities

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bulgaria has shown a unique global example of the unity of society, the church and the government. This opinion was expressed in an interview with the Bulgarian National Radio by Priest Kalistrat from the Bulgarian Zografski Monastery in Sveta Gora (Mount Athos) in Greece. He expressed satisfaction with the God-granted wisdom of the senior clergy of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Bulgarian Orthodox temples remained open, but believers listened to the urges to follow the anti-epidemic measures and were able to watch the church liturgies online. According to the monk, the Bulgarians have incredible self-discipline that is not motivated by the pressure of the state authorities but by compassion for others.

Interior Ministry: There will be strict checks on people returning to Sofia after Easter break

No increased traffic at the entry and exit checkpoints of Sofia has been monitored until noon today. However, later today and tomorrow traffic to the capital is expected to increase.

Returning to Sofia can be done only in the two time windows allowed for passage through the checkpoints around the city - in the morning from 6 am to 8 am and in the evening from 6 pm to 8 pm. The police will check the declarations of those who want to enter Sofia. In case of incorrect data filled in the declarations, penalties will be imposed.

The Interior Ministry warns that the control will be very strict as it is possible that some people will not be allowed to enter Sofia.

Citizens on protest in Sofia against anti-epidemic measures

Dozens of citizens have gathered in different parts of the Bulgarian capital Sofia to voice their disagreement with the measures imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Bulgaria. According to some of the protesting citizens, there is "an inhumane and amoral lack of decision-making due to which people are starting to face hunger and remain without jobs". The protesters insist on adequate measures for social adaptation because many people have remained without an income during the pandemic.

The organizers of the flash mob declare they do not belong to and are independent of any political parties.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

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