Record 132 Covid-19 cases registered over past 24 hours

The number of new cases of Covid-19 infection registered in Bulgaria after 2,104 tests were performed in the past 24 hours is 132, official data from the National Information System showed at midnight on 19 June. The means 43 more new cases than the previous day, when their number was 89 - the biggest number of newly registered cases over the space of 24 hours since the beginning of the epidemic. The total number of registered coronavirus patients is now 3,674.

289 of the patients have been hospitalized and 13 patients are in intensive care units.. Six people have died in the past 24 hours, 5 of them with severe underlying diseases. The death toll has reached 190. The number of recoveries over the past 24 hours is 61, bringing the total number of recoveries up to 1,941.

New outbreaks of Covid-19 occur when safety measures are violated

11 employees of the Bulgarian identity documents unit of the Pazardzhik Police have been infected with Covid-19. The first case of an employee with coronavirus infection was registered there two days ago. Action was taken immediately to isolate the employees in their homes. Most have no symptoms, police spokesman Miroslav Stoyanov said. The paramedic from the Shumen municipality of Kaolinovo from whom the infection started and a second outbreak of Covid-19 was formed in the district, has died, as has his wife. The paramedic examined patients without protective equipment. He treated patients with clear symptoms of Covid-19, but did not prescribe medicines.

Director of Pirogov emergency hospital urges compliance with “triple D rule”

“Observe the “triple D rule” - Discipline, Distancing, Disinfection! Otherwise, there will be a whole lot more deaths!!!” This appeal, with three exclamation marks, was posted by Prof. Dr. Asen Baltov, director of "Pirogov" emergency hospital in Sofia, on his Facebook page. Prof. Baltov’s appeal comes after the head of the National Operational Headquarters, Gen. Ventsislav Mutafchyiski, used the same words to warn there will be a new peak of the infection which will probably lead to more deaths. Prof. Baltov's message came after it became clear that Bulgaria had set a record for new Covid-19 cases registered in one day - 132.

Bulgaria supports EU recovery plan: PM Borissov

EU leaders remain divided on how to structure a proposed COVID-19 recovery fund for European economies, the head of the European Commission said, with the balance of loans and grants, amounting to EUR 750 billion, still to be agreed.

“For there to be long-term economic growth in the EU, alongside the efforts to address the consequences of the pandemic, attention needs to be given to the poorest regions with the aim of overcoming the deep social and economic problems in them,” said PM Boyko Botissov during a video conference of the EU leaders on the planned response to the challenges in the fight against coronavirus. “Bulgaria supports the EU recovery plan,” Boyko Borissov said.

Government submits update of state budget to parliament

The government's draft for a second budget update for this year has been submitted to parliament. The cabinet approved changes to the budget, by force of which the maximum amount of state guarantees that the country can take is increased from overEUR 750 million to overEUR 900 millions.The amendment is necessary because of the commitments this country has assumed in the pan-European response to the Covid-19 crisisin collecting the money forthe SURE scheme and the Pan-European Guarantee Fund, government’s motives read. The government’s draft is for a second update of the budget for this year.

United States provides financial assistance to media and civil society in Bulgaria because of Covid-19

The US Embassy in Bulgaria, through the United States Agency for International Development, is providing 200,000 USD in support of independent media and civil society in Bulgaria. Projects will be funded as the aim is to counter the negative impact of the coronavirus outbreak on society, free media and rule of law. Projects should be initiated by civil society organizations legally registered in Bulgaria. Project proposals should limit their geographic scope to Bulgaria. The involvement of transnational partners from new EU member states or the wider Black Sea region is allowed. Application conditions can be found here.

Court imposes EUR 5,000 fine for breaking quarantine

The court imposed a fine of BGN 10,000 (around EUR 5,113) and a 3-month suspended sentence on a woman from Elhovo in Southeastern Bulgaria for violating the anti-epidemic measures introduced over Covid-19. The woman, who returned from Germany on 27 April, broke the 14-day quarantine multiple times by going to shops and meeting friends, thus putting at risk the health of a great many people.

Compiled by Gergana Mancheva 

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