Confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria up to 929

By 5 PM on Monday the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria was 929, according to data of the National Crisis staff. 14 new cases were confirmed on Monday – 11 in Sofia, 1 in Smolyan region, 1 in Sliven region and 1 in Haskovo region. The laboratory testing continues. A total of 268 patients have been hospitalized, 34 are in intensive care. Out of the total number of registered cases 489 are men and 440 are women. 76 is the number of infected medical workers. The death toll among all patients infected with Covid-19 is 43. 

Entire ER staff at hospital in Vidin tested for coronavirus

The Covid-19 tests of the entire staff of the ER at the St. Petka hospital in Vidin have been sent to Sofia for testing, announced the regional health inspectorate after a doctor from the emergency room was found to be positive for coronavirus.The regional administration announced that out of the total of 23 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Vidin region, 15 are medical workers.

Healthcare activities cancelled over Covid-19 to be resumed

By force of an ordinance by the minister of health, planned child care health consultancies, the principal mandatory immunizations, maternity consultancies and non-urgent admission to medical establishments are being resumed as of 21 April.Elective medical treatment and surgery will also be resumed on a step-by-step basis as of the same date, with priority initially given to the most urgent cases.

Health Ministry to purchase two ambulance helicopters

Regarding the redirecting of EUR 20 million /BGN 40 million/ from the Operational Programme ‘Regions in Growth’ for combatting Covid-19 and mitigating the consequences of the pandemic, Deputy Minister of Regional Development Denitsa Nikolova explained, in an interview for the BNR, that the money will be used by the Ministry of Health to purchase 317 ventilators, 72,000 tests, 105,000 rapid tests, laboratory consumables and protective masks. The ministry is also working on a procedure for purchasing two ambulance helicopters.

39^th Bulgarian contingent returns from Afghanistan after taking part in NATO mission, 40^th contingent takes over

The 39th Bulgarian military contingent which took part in the NATO mission in Afghanistan “Resolute Support” has returned in full.At the welcoming ceremony Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov stated that the training and certification of the 40th contingent, which is replacing it, coincided with the start of the world Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the crisis, the contingent rotation was carried out successfully and according to plan, Admiral Eftimov said.

Markets in Sofia reopen

After being closed preventively from 17 until 19 April by force of an ordinance issued by the minister of health, open-air markets in Sofia have been reopened. Shopping rules remain the same – people keep a distance and sanitize their hands on their way in, and shoppers without face masks – a very rare occurrence – are given disposable masks. In accordance with the requirements of the health authorities, market administrations are obligated to disinfect the premises four times a day.

Bright Week begins in compliance with the strict anti-epidemic measures

The so-called Bright Week began in full compliance with the rules and norms set down in the country in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. Few people took part in the renowned icon procession at Bachkovo Monastery, in which the icon of the Holy Virgin was taken from the monastery church to Kluviata locality. The participants in the procession wore masks and kept the necessary distance. Because of the restrictive measures, the icon was placed in a car so it would not be carried by believers.

Compiled by Stoimen Pavlov