Rise in number of Covid-19 cases is global problem

The pandemic continues to accelerate en masse and the factors for this are many, Prof. Iva Hristova, Deputy Director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases has told the BNR. "In the Balkans, the situation is difficult. We have more than 11,000 cases, but in Romania there are four times more cases of infection, and in Serbia the cases are maybe twice more. There are many cases in Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, as this is a global trend," said Prof. Hristova. According to her, there is no way to determine the number of infected, but it is possible that they are much more, due to asymptomatic cases.

265 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Bulgaria

265, or 3.99% of the 6,639 PCR performed in Bulgaria over the past 24 hours have returned positive. The biggest number of newly registered cases is in Sofia - 51, in Dobrich - 48, and in Varna - 46, indicate data from the single information portal. 202 have recovered, and 6 have died. 751 patients with coronavirus infection are in hospital, 34 in intensive care. The number of active Covid-19 cases is 4,873. There is a drop in the number of people who are in quarantine - 9,300. The peak was on 20 May, 2020 when 40,500 people were in isolation.

Both state-run and private hospitals entitled to Covid-19 subsidies

Not only state-run and municipal hospitals but private hospitals as well will be entitled to subsidies for standing in readiness to help in the event of the epidemic spread of Covid-19. This decision was made by the National Assembly by force of amendments to the Medical Treatment Facilities Act, BNR’s reporter Daniel Inkov reports. An agreement has also been ratified which would give Bulgaria quicker access to a future Covid-19 vaccine. Under this agreement the European Commission will be able to conclude preliminary agreements for the purchase of vaccines from manufacturers on behalf of the member states.

National Auditor Office checks spending of funds to combat Covid-19

Subjects of audits are the Ministries of Economy, Finance, Labor and Social Policy, and Agriculture and Food. The inspections will cover the implementation of the various financial measures to support those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, from February to the end of March 2021.

Home for the elderly in Ruse may be left without enough employees

The Ministry of Social Affairs is ready to send employees to the home for the elderly in Ruse. The department has received information that a large part of the staff wants to leave. So far, 51 elderly and six social workers have tested positive for Covid-19, 22 have been hospitalized and two have passed away. If the problem worsens, some people in the home may need to be relocated to another building.

Mass testing for Covid-19 in Dobrich because of new outbreaks

Mass testing for the virus has begun at the city's nursing home, which is a home to 100 people. This became necessary after an employee tested positive for the infection. A kindergarten has been closed for disinfection, and a factory ceased operation after half of its workers tested positive.

Number of anti-epidemic measures extended

According to an order of the Minister of Health, the ban on the presence of spectators at outdoor and indoor sports facilities has been extended until August 31. Athletes under the age of 18 are allowed to have one companion. Wearing protective equipment for employees, staff, coaches and officials in indoor sports venues, dance halls, swimming pools and gyms remain mandatory. Only athletes are allowed to be without protective equipment. On July 31, Italy announced that it was extending the rule for 14-day quarantine for Bulgarian passengers entering the country. Slovenian authorities have also imposed a 14-day isolation on people arriving from Romania and Bulgaria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Compiled by Darina Grigorova and Radio Bulgaria's News Team

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