Man recovers from Covid-19 after 38 days on ventilation

One of the Covid-19 patients who has recovered over the past 24 hours was successfully taken off artificial pulmonary ventilation after 38 days, the National Crisis Staff announced. The patient – a man aged 68 with numerous underlying diseases - who was treated at Pirogov emergency hospital in Sofia, remains under observation. This is the third recovery in Bulgaria after intubation because of the coronavirus infection.

Total number of registered Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria up to 1,247

Another 13 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Bulgaria today, 7 of them in Sofia, 5 in Vidin region and 1 in Pazardzhik region. The total number of registered coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 1,247, National Crisis Staff data show. 
292 of the Covid-19 patients have been hospitalized, 37 of them are in intensive care. 614 of the registered Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria are men and 633 are women. The number of medical workers with a confirmed coronavirus infection is 135.
55 people have died, 197 have recovered. 

Boyko Borissov: We are considering lifting the state of emergency before 13 May

“The option of lifting the state of emergency before 13 May is being considered,” said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during an inspection of Hemus motorway. In the words of the prime minister wearing protective masks can remain in place as a preventive measure. He pointed out that unlike other countries, in Bulgaria movement inside towns is not in practice restricted, nor is it banned provided certain requirements are complied with. There is no curfew either. One of the ideas under discussion is for parents with children to be allowed to cross parks from one end to the other, as of Monday, following the rules set down and without gathering in numbers, another idea is to reopen guest houses and small family hotels.

Parents look forward to walks in the park

The National Crisis Staff will advise mayors to set down the rules by which children and their parents will be allowed to go to parks, General Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, head of the Staff announced. This will take place after an experiment to be conducted in Sofia tomorrow.

Bulgarian pop diva Lili Ivanova supports medical workers in their battle

Legendary Bulgarian singer Lili Ivanova gave expression to her gratitude to doctors at the front line. The favourite singer of generations of Bulgarians sent the medical workers from Aleksandrovska hospital flowers, discs of her songs and the following message: “It is a hard-fought battle but you are stronger and you are not alone!”

Tomislav Donchev: 55-60% of the Bulgarian economy is functioning

“The Bulgarian economy cannot remain in quarantine mode indefinitely. The data are monitored and analyzed every day,”said Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev in an interview for Bulgarian National TV. “Our economy is to be set in motion in stages, in accordance with the liberalization of the measures recommended by the National Crisis Staff.”

In Tomislav Donchev’s words, 55-60% of the economy is functioning. But there are entire sectors which are frozen because there are no commissions. He pointed out that Bulgaria’s industry is primarily export-oriented, and expressed the hope that it will be able to expand its presence in Europe. In his words the system of assisting companies in the crisis is simplified so that they may be able to make maximum use of it.

Fitch forecasts economic decline but also swift recovery for Bulgaria

Fitch Ratings has revised the outlook on Bulgaria's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) to stable from positive and affirmed the rating at “BBB” because of the coronavirus pandemic. This is the rating agency’s first evaluation since the beginning of the pandemic. According to Fitch, this year Bulgaria’s GDP will drop from 3.2 % to minus 5.1 %, but will recover next year to reach an increase of 4.2%.

Construction of Hemus motorway is advancing despite pandemic

“The state of emergency is not affecting the construction of Hemus motorway,”said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during an inspection of the construction of the motorway section between the villages of Belokopitovo and Buhovtsi, Northeastern Bulgaria. In the words of the prime minister, work is also going ahead intensively on the Balkan Stream gas pipeline and on the connector with Greece. As there are a great many archaeological sites along the route of Hemus motorway, the construction work is running parallel with archaeological research. The 420-km long motorway is to connect Sofia with Varna on the Black Sea.

Bulgaria lifts ban on export of analgin-quinine

By order of Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev the ban has been lifted on the export of analgin-quinine. The export of quinine-based medicines was banned on 20 March with the aim of meeting the needs of the Bulgarian market in the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sufficient quantities of this medication have now been ensured, the minister’s motives read.

Exams during coronavirus pandemic

The Technical University in Sofia conducted the third remote university entrance exam in mathematics after two successful exams on 28 March and on 11 April, for which more than 1,100 prospective students applied. Because of the state of emergency universities are closed and most of them have postponed their preliminary exams indefinitely.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova