25 minibuses of the Ministry of Interior to help troubled emergency service in Bulgaria

25 minibuses of the Ministry of Interior, equipped with a driver and a person trained in first aid, have been provided to the Center for Emergency Medical Aid, Minister of Health Prof. Kostadin Angelov told BNR. He added that all private ambulances will be included in the emergency system. "There are enough beds for patients with coronavirus in Sofia and in the country," the minister added. Prof. Kostadin Angelov also said that the suspension of planned operations does not interrupt the treatment of people, but "priorities are set". It has also become clear that a "significant change" had been filed to the National Assembly, providing that medical establishments refusing to treat patients with Covid-19 should not be financed by the health insurance fund. The Minister said he starts checks tomorrow in all hospitals - both private and public, where there is no willingness to open beds for coronavirus patients, and said there would be consequences.

Bulgaria enters extremely serious phase of Covid epidemic

"Compared to last Sunday, incidence today is 80% higher," Health Minister Prof. Kostadin Angelov has told BNR and pointed out that our country was entering an extremely serious phase of the coronavirus epidemic. He called for quick and uncompromising solutions, promising sanctions for all directors of private and public hospitals who do not open additional Covid wards. At the moment, the introduction of new anti-epidemic measures is not being discussed, but the current ones must be observed, the minister added. Inspections in establishments will continue and uncompromising action will be taken for those who try to circumvent the law, he added.

New social measure for the unemployed

The Ministry of Social Affairs has beenplanning a new measure in the coronavirus crisis - to provide assistance of about 12 euros per day directly to workers who have lost their jobs because of closed businesses, Minister of Social Affairs Denitsa Sacheva has told BNT. Since October 29 in this situation have been discos, nightclubs, private schools for children's training. The state will continue to invest in healthcare and is already thinking about supporting doctors from pre-hospital care and general practitioners, Minister Sacheva said. The measure is being developed with the help of the "Human Resources Development" OP.

Without incentives for consumption, economy will take a plunge

A national center should be set up as soon as possible to manage the crisis and have the power to impose strict sanctions and a strict regime of conduct, Prof. Preslav Dimitrov, dean of the Faculty of Economics at SWU Neofit Rilski, has told BNR. He recommends that funds that would be used to support sectors and industries be directed to the end user. "It is good for citizens to see the concerns of the state, and not to feel abandoned," Prof. Preslav Dimitrov said.

25% positive tests for Covid-19

There has been a decline in the number of new cases of coronavirus compared to previous days, but at the backdrop of fewer tests, data of the Unified Information Portal show. 1803 new infections were detected, which means that 25% of the 7259 PCR tests performed turned positive. Most of the new cases are again in Sofia - 740, followed by Plovdiv with 136 and Varna with 114. The number of patients hospitalized has been growing - 2612, out of which 166 are in intensive care. The number of recovered during the past day was 168, the dead are 25, and the newly infected medics - 71. The active cases are 31 520.

Double standards are behind rise of Covid-19 cases

"The deteriorating epidemic situation is due to delayed measures and a double standard that has been applied to certain sectors - nightclubs, discos, stadiums," Prof. Atanas Temelkov, head of the Clinic of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at Alexandrovska Hospital has told BNT. He explained that the likelihood of a milder course of coronavirus disease depends on the initial moment of judgment whether the patient should be admitted to hospital or treated at home. According to him, there is no definite data on whether Remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine are the most important drugs for treatment at the moment.

Germany declares Bulgaria risky country

As of today, the entire territory of Bulgaria has been declared a risk area by Germany and this imposes restrictive measures on citizens traveling from this country. The coronavirus test requirement applies to anyone arriving from a risk area. Only the presence of a negative result will be grounds for exemption from the 14-day home quarantine.

Fourfold increase in number of Covid-19 patients in Veliko Tarnovo

The number of coronavirus cases in Veliko Tarnovo and the region has quadrupled in the past two weeks. There are 142 infected per every 100 thousand people. Hospitals have vacant beds in Covid wards, but experience difficulties related to medical staff shortage.

Compiled by: Diana Tsankova

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