Health Minister: Currently we have no worries about shortage of hospital beds

This was said by the Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov in Sandanski. He inspected hospitals in the Blagoevgrad region today where the incidence of coronavirus is high. We have concerns about the strength of the Bulgarian medics and nurses, who have been constantly packed in protective suits for six months now, doing their best to conduct this battle successfully, the minister said, adding that so far no recommendation has been issued advising against travelling toBlagoevgrad.

Almost 25% of PCR tests in past 24 hours return positive

Bulgaria has reported 395 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours or 24.98% out of the 1,581 PCR tests performed. 1,500 patients with coronavirus are in hospital, 74 of them in intensive care. 31 people have recovered over the past 24 hours, 18 have died.

The highest number of newly registered coronavirus cases is again in Sofia - 145, followed by Sliven - 84, Turgovishte - 23, Gabrovo - 19, Blagoevgrad -17 and Shoumen - 14.

Health Minister: Doctors are not fighting against pandemic but for our health

Today, 19 October, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the day of St. Ivan (John) of Rila, is the Day of Bulgarian Doctors. On this occasion, Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov addressed doctors in this country, congratulating them for their dedication and enumerating the names of the doctors who have lost their lives in the battle against Covid-19.

He stressed that doctors fight for the life of each one of their patients, sparing no effort, and that even before the epidemic they risked their lives to save others. Doctors are not fighting against the pandemic but for our health, he adds.

Inspections increase in Sofia over observance of anti-epidemic measures

In order to limit the spread of the disease, the control in the commercial sites and the public transport of Sofia is strengthened. Daily disinfection of public transport stops and vehicles continues. Pedestrian underpasses and rubbish bins are disinfected on schedule.

Plovdiv returns entrance regime in supermarkets

This was announced by the Plovdiv regional governor Dani Kanazireva after a meeting of the regional coronavirus response headquarters. From tomorrow, October 20, the number of inspections for compliance with anti-epidemic measures in Plovdiv will double - not only in shops, but also in restaurants and public buildings, as well as in public transport, said the regional governor Dani Kanazireva. Some of them are observing a distance of two meters and a maximum of 100 people in large retail chains. There will be inspections in the enterprises as well, the BNR correspondent in Plovdiv announced.

Bulgaria's tourist sector calls for joint measures against Covid-19 in winter resorts

Bulgaria's National Tourism Board is pushing for joint measures against Covid-19 in winter resorts. In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, the executive director of the board Polina Karastoyanova pointed out that the measures should be developed by the state, municipalities, resorts and health authorities and should be applied simultaneously.

Tour operators are ready to offer the best that is being done in the world, Karastoyanova said. According to her, serious investment has been made in the measures taken in the mountain resorts. She also pointed out the fact that during the summer season not a single case of Covid-19 was registered during a tourist stay in a Bulgarian hotel.

Theatre of Satire in Sofia – a safe place during Covid-19

The Theatre of Satire in Sofia adduces ten reasons why it is one of the safest public places to be during the pandemic.

The audience enters and leaves by different doors, and viewers do not cross paths. The spaces inside the building offer ample personal space and viewers are able to keep the recommended distance from one another without physically interacting or conversing with one another. The ventilation has a circulation of fresh outdoor air, the building is sanitized twice a day – morning and night - and disinfected every two hours.

The theatre is by far safer than public transport, shops, hospitals, pharmacies and many other public places.

Compiled by Joan Kolev

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

You can also follow all latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak and all measures in Bulgaria in 9 more languages at Radio Bulgaria.