Premier Borissov: I do not think new lockdown is right

Much more developed countries than us still have no solution. The United States is leaving the World Health Organization. Belgrade has implemented measures and you can see how people react to them, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov commented. We believe that we are a developed democracy. Each of us is informed that disinfection, wearing a mask and keeping distance are the only things that protect against the disease. It is not right to have another order for lockdown. We must be careful, but we should not stop working. Updated revenue plans are going well, but the crisis will occur next year. The world economy is not recovering in any way, PM Borissov added.

Bulgaria reports record-high number of new Covid-19 cases

188 new cases of coronavirus infection have been confirmed in the past 24 hours out of 3467 PCR tests performed, the Single Coronavirus Information Portal shows. The total number of infected people since the beginning of the pandemic has reached 6102. Out of these, 2,811 cases are still active. In the past 24 hours, 37 people have recovered. There are 483 patients in hospitals as 32 are in intensive care. 4 people passed away during the past day. The total number of Covid-19 deaths has reached 254. The lockdown of the Iztok neighborhood in Kyustendil, imposed because of the coronavirus, was lifted at midnight. I hope that in a week the number of infected people will start to decline, because people have already learned that they should protect themselves and their families, director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and a member of the Operational Staff, Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev said.

Not every patient going to hospital is tested for Covid-19

The director of the Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and a member of the National Operational Staff, Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, said that not every hospital can perform a PCR test when admitting patients as that would mean doing 200,000 tests a month. Since the beginning of the pandemic in this country 180,000 tests have been performed, the professor added. With the tests we find the patient and the health inspectorates look for the contact persons. We have not allowed the spread of large clusters or infection in hospitals. The most dangerous time will be in October and November, when the season of viral diseases comes. The expert says there are three groups that need to be protected: those over 60, people with chronic diseases and those with immune deficiency.

There can be no false positive test for Covid-19

Any positive test for Covid-19 should lead to restrictive measures, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Mihailov, manager of a chain of laboratories used by the National Operational Headquarters has told the BNR. Even if there was a doubt about the correctness of the sample, it is better to assume that the test is positive and limit contacts until a second test is performed. Even if a second test is performed immediately after a positive test result, this will be to calm the patient. But they must be quarantined for two weeks after the first positive test until two consecutive negative samples are taken. Only then is it considered that the patient has no infection, Assoc. Prof. Mihailov said.

Psychologist: Our body cannot be fully mobilized for a long time

We are already in the phase of negation which is associated with dissatisfaction, frustration and disbelief. The next phase is the phase of recovery- people begin to draw positive experience from what has happened and adapt to the current situation, Elena Pencheva, member of the Crisis Intervention Section with the Bulgarian Psychological Society told the Bulgarian National Radio. She commented sociological data according to which, there is a growing distrust in the danger of Covid-19 in Bulgaria. The psychologist commented that some people feel anxiety and depression. Others, fully deny the danger of Covid-19 and neglect the anti-epidemic measures. In Elena Pencheva’s view, the human body mobilizes to cope with a possible crisis or a danger. The actions of the state are also based on this principle. “All structures are mobilized. However, our body cannot function to the maximum degree of mobilization for a long time”.

Austria reintroduces travel restrictions for Bulgarians and nationals of Western Balkan countries

In connection with the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria, Austria has warned its citizens to refrain from travelling to Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova if not necessary. According to Austria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg, the development of the coronavirus pandemic in Bulgaria is alarming. That is why, by decision of the Austrian cabinet, this country is reintroducing restrictions on entry for Bulgarian nationals. In Minister Schallenberg’s words, this would mean that as of Thursday the rules that apply to people arriving from Sweden, Great Britain and Portugal will also apply to nationals of Bulgaria and Romania travelling to Austria- 14 days mandatory quarantine or negative PCR test presented upon arrival. In case of non-compliance with the orders, high fines to the tune of up to EUR 1,450 are imposed. Last week Austria introduced the same rules for the Western Balkan countries.

Prof. Mihail Konstantinov: Pandemic is entering new phase

In Bulgaria and around the world, the number of infected people has been growing but the number of deaths per day has been falling sharply. In Europe, the highest daily mortality rate was 5,000, and recently it has been around 300. The pandemic is entering a new phase – more people are becoming infected and less are dying. This means we are getting used to the virus, Prof. Mihail Konstantinov, has told the BNT. Despite the increased number of cases, Bulgaria continues to be one of the best when it comes to dealing with the pandemic on the basis of number of infected per capita, the mathematician estimates. According to Konstantinov, the number of Bulgarians who have encountered the virus but are not ill is about 5% and this is also the situation in the world and in Europe as a whole.

Compiled by: Ioan Kolev

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