PM Boyko Borissov tests positive for coronavirus

“Even though the Regional Health Inspectorate lifted my quarantine, on Friday I postponed all my appointments and public appearances for the coming days,” Prime Minister Boyko Borissov wrote on Facebook. 
“After two PCR tests, as of today I am Covid-19 positive. I feel generally unwell, at this time, at the doctors’ discretion, I am being treated at home. The Regional Health Inspectorate has been given the names of all of my contact persons. I am sure that, observing the measures, we shall get through this together,” Boyko Borissov writes.m

Meanwhile it transpired that Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova and Minister of Transport Rosen Zhelyazkov have self-isolated after being in contact with the prime minister at an event on Friday.

Todor Kantardzhiev: I am expecting a spike in coronavirus cases next week

If, in September when the spread of coronavirus was at its lowest in Europe measures had been taken for mask-wearing indoors, maybe things wouldn’t have been so drastic,”Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, Director of the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases said in an interview for the BNR’s Horizont channel. In his words, recommendations should be properly dosed so as to be complied with, because what does most harm is if they are ill-timed or half-measures.
“The aim now is to reduce the share of severe cases as well as the total of number of infections, so that the healthcare system can withstand the pressure,” he stressed. “I am expecting a spike next week.”

Hotel and restaurant operators demand clear closure rules

The Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association has called for clear measures and rules regarding the closure of hotels, food and beverage establishments, or the restriction of their activities due to the coronavirus epidemic. 
In their position they say investors and the people working in tourism must not be “surprised at the last moment” by decisions which result in financial losses for them. The people from the industry are demanding that the cabinet and the health authorities formulate a position – how many positive test results performed over what period of time will mean restricting the functioning of food and drink establishments and hotels, and how many – their reopening.

Todor Kantardzhiev: Indoor food and drink establishments hold highest risk of coronavirus

“The places where the coronavirus risk is highest are the indoor food and beverage establishments, public transport vehicles come in 7th or 8th place,” Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, Director of the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases said for Nova TV. 
In his words “things in Bulgaria no longer look good” because of lack of control and incompetent communication. Prof. Kantardzhiev stated further that he isn’t seeing any enthusiasm among GPs to introduce rapid Covid-19 tests in their surgeries. 
“When we were studying medicine we didn’t know we might have to risk our own health in order to preserve the health of the public, but some colleagues seem to have forgotten that. Society allowed medicine to become a business without blinking an eye,” Prof. Kantardzhiev said.

1,043 new coronavirus cases reported in Bulgaria

1,043 is the number of newly registered Covid-19 cases, or 14.7% of the 7,094 PCR tests performed in Bulgaria over the past 24 hours, Single Coronavirus Information Portal data show. 
The highest number of newly registered Covid-19 cases is in Sofia - 393, Plovdiv – 76, and in Varna – 58. Seven people have died, 130 have recovered. 1,976 patients with coronavirus are in hospital, 138 of them in intensive care. 1,872 is the number of coronavirus cases among medical staff – among them 680 doctors and 626 nurses. The number of active cases is 18,246.

Prototype of Bulgarian Covid-19 vaccine ready by the end of the year

Researchers from the Bulgarian academy of Sciences have covered one-third of the road to the creation of a Bulgarian coronavirus vaccine, Ilian Manoilov from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences said for Nova TV. The prototype of the vaccine is expected to be ready by the end of this year. To make sure it is safe, the future vaccine has to be tested on mice.

Pleven Medical University is recruiting volunteers for work outside Covid wards

The administration of the Medical University in Pleven has urged 4^th year medical trainees, students and nurses to help the two university hospitals which are experiencing difficulties in the conditions of coronavirus pandemic. The trainees will work at the clinics outside the Covid-19 wards under employment contracts.

Cadets at Veliko Turnovo Military University test positive for coronavirus

Ten cadets at the Vasil Levski National Military University in Veliko Turnovo have tested positive for coronavirus. Last week 37 cadets from the university were isolated after being in contact with a Covid-positive person outside the university. The cadets infected have been isolated at the university’s infirmary, no changes to the teaching process will be necessary.

Compiled by Diana Tsankova

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