Covid-19 death rate in Bulgaria falls

Bulgaria is 25th in the EU in incidence of coronavirus, and 8th in coronavirus death rate, Chief State Health Inspector Dr. Angel Kunchev announced at a briefing of the National Operational Headquarters.“The fatality rate is falling and we are gradually being ousted from second place by a large group of countries. Malta has the highest death rate,” Angel Kunchev said.

“10,5% of the Covid hospital beds, and 4% of the intensive care beds are filled,” said Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov. He added that the shortage of medical specialists and the growing number medical staff who have contracted coronavirus could develop into a risk as the epidemic spreads. More on the topic can be found HERE

Greece extends Covid-19 entry restrictions to October 12

Greece has extended until October 12, 2020 the period of application of the temporary restrictions and requirements for entry into the country via its land, sea and air borders. The condition remains that those arriving in the country need to have a QR code. Passengers must also present a PCR test with a negative result, done up to 72 hours before crossing the Greek border.

A PCR test is not required for truck drivers, but if they pass through the Ilinden-Exohi border checkpoint, only the driver could be present in the vehicle.

Recommended quarantine for those arriving in Belgium from Vidin, Vratsa, Lom and Montana lifted

The Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation has moved the northwestern region of Bulgaria (Vidin, Vratsa, Lom, Montana) from an "orange" to a "green" zone, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All Bulgarian citizens arriving in Belgium from this area are not subject to quarantine and Covid-19 testing.

No cases of Covid-19 were registered in Bulgarian seaside hotels in the summer

German tourists have filed complaints about vacations on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and are seeking compensation for not observing strict enough measures against Covid-19, tour operators announced at the Hotel Forum held in Sofia. But in the summer there have been no cases of Covid-19 in the Bulgarian hotels and restaurants on the seaside, the business announced.

Winter bookings are only 10-15% of the volume of last season. Director of the Institute for Analysis and Evaluation in Tourism Rumen Draganov who predicts growth of domestic tourism.

In the period December 22 - March 22, 1.9 million domestic trips were reported, and this year they are expected to reach 2.25 million, BTA reports.

Students are infected with coronavirus 2.5 times less often than adults

There are 90 teachers infected with Covid-19 out of a total of 90,000. The number of quarantined students is 0.5% as they have interacted with other infected people in school or outside it, said Bulgaria's Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev, BTA reports.

We can say that the share of students who are infected is two 2.5 times lower than the total number of infected people. Students get sick less, obviously they also get infected less often. The percentage of infections among teachers is slightly higher, Minister Valchev added.

All retirees continue to receive additional 25 euros a month during pandemic

In the most difficult days of the pandemic, we have made the life, health and social care for the elderly a priority, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov wrote on Facebook on the occasion of the International Day for Older Persons. For the third month in a row, all 2.1 million retirees in Bulgaria will receive a supplement of 25 euros to their pensions to meet their most urgent needs. This support will continue until the end of our term, the Prime Minister wrote.

Bulgaria reports 286 new Covid-19 cases, 5,79% of PCR tests performed

296 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 4,943 PCR tests performed, the Single Information Portal informs. The highest number of new infections is in Sofia-57, followed by Blagoevgrad-34, Plovdiv-24, Stara Zagora-20 and Burgas-19, BNR reports. The total number of Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic rose to 20,833. There are 5,374 active cases of coronavirus infection. A total of 837 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals, 44 of whom in intensive care units. 145 patients have recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 14,634. 12 people have died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the Covid-19 death toll to 825 people.

You can find all stories and important publications related to Covid-19 in Bulgaria at our special coverage section in English.

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Editor: Gergana Mancheva