3,146 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 7,244 PCR tests performed, data of the Single Information Portal show. 43% of the PCR tests have returned positive. The number of active cases of coronavirus infection reached 83,671. The total number of Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic rose to 124, 966.

6,270 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals, 399 of whom in intensive care units. A record-high number of recoveries have been registered in the past 24 hours-1,702. The total number of Covid-19 recoveries reached 38,266. A record high number of Covid-19 deaths have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic-189 patients have died in the past 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 fatalities reached 3,069.

200 cargo vehicles formed a long line at the Kulata-Promachonas border crossing due to the mass Covid-19 testing in Greece, BNR correspondent has reported. Greek authorities have temporarily suspended checks with rapid tests for COVID-19 of truck drivers entering Greece, the Bulgarian Border Police later said.

Deputy Chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Transport Workers Veselin Dangov forecasted that trade would be fully blocked. All drivers undergo testing for Covid-19 and it takes between 30 and 50 minutes for a cargo vehicle to cross the border, Veselin Dangov complained. Haulers insist that the countries comply with the EU decision to launch Green Lanes, in order to safeguard continuity of freight transport during the pandemic.

So far, traffic at Ilinden-Exohi border checkpoint is normal. Traffic at the Bulgaria-Romania checkpoint near Vidin and at Lesovo crossing between Bulgaria and Turkey is intense, Bulgaria’s Border Police said.

All Bulgarian regions should switch over to distance learning, Dr. Julian Petrov from Education Syndicate with the Confederation of Labor Podkrepa said for BNT. “There will not be a zero academic year over the covonavirus pandemic, but I do not rule out the possibility that students would go to school in the summer”. Dr. Petrov said.

 "Online education can be very successful if organized properly. Parents must engage more to help young pupils. Students who pay attention in class and maintain high level during the in-class learning show high level during distance learning as well", Dr Petrov added.

We cannot expect a decrease in Covid-19 death rate within 10 days. Coronavirus mortality will change at least two weeks after the introduction of the new restrictive measures. For the purpose, 99% of the people must observe the measures, pulmonologist Dr. Alexander Simidchiev said for BNT.

It seems that 40% of the population has been infected with Covid-19. Vaccination is the only path to herd immunity, Dr. Simidchiev went on to say. “If the virus was as divided as the society, the epidemic would not be that serious. Unfortunately, the effect of the virus is very systematic and we are divided whether to wear face masks or not, whether to introduce a lockdown, or not. That is why our response to Covid-19 is not effective”, Dr. Simidchiev said further.

In their letters to Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, various professional organizations representing industries that would be affected by a possible second lockdown have asked the government for economic measures to help them survive. Otherwise, mass bankruptcies will follow, organizations warn.

Among those calling for the introduction of economic measures are the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents, "Future for Tourism Association", the Association of Hotels, the Bulgarian Association of Restaurants and others. Yesterday a request for the establishment of a national program for support of Bulgarian business was made by the Bulgarian Industrial Association. The request was joined also by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria.

40% of Bulgarians believe that the coronavirus is a biological weapon designed to reduce the world's population. This is shown by data from a study by Trend Agency, said our reporter Svetoslava Kuzmanova.

33% of respondents believe that Covid-19 is no more dangerous than seasonal flu. According to 17%, this virus did not exist and it was a global scam. In June, 23% held this opinion. The difference is largely due to the increase in the number of cases and deaths, as well as the fact that people already know a person who is ill or has recovered from coronavirus. 45% believe that there is a vaccine, but it is hidden in order to spread the disease even more, so that pharmaceutical companies could profit.

The multi-profile hospital in Bulgaria's town of Dobrich has received a donation from the Switzerland-Eastern Europe Solidarity Association.  The donation consists of equipment designated for the needs of the Covid-19 ward department. It includes 30 electric beds, 1 special intensive care bed with a special mattress, 20 bedside tables, 30 mattresses, 3 beds for examination and massage, many visitor chairs, wheelchair and toilet chairs and infusion stands.