Bulgaria continues the stricter Covid-19 measures until December 21

The current anti-epidemic measures in Bulgaria will be in force until December 21. This became clear at today's working meeting, which Prime Minister Boyko Borissov convened with members of the government, the National Operational Headquarters, the national Vaccine Task Force and the mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, the government's press service announced.

At the meeting, Bulgaria's Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev quoted a study, according to which after the second week of online learning the motivation to learn falls sharply, and the lack of socialization and more movement has a detrimental effect to children in preschool.

As for the assistance for parents whose children are currently studying remotely, the Minister of Social Affairs Denitsa Sacheva pointed out that there are almost 22,000 submitted applications for assistance. It also became clear that about 3,000 employers have applied for 15,000 jobs under the support measure for closed businesses. The amendments to the State of Emergency Act are already in force and on this basis the procedure for business support with the help of the National Revenue Agency begins.

Bulgaria registers slight increase in new cases of Covid-19

For the last 24 hours, Bulgaria has reported a total of 3,097 new cases of Covid-19 out of the 8,587 PCR tests performed. The highest number of newly registered cases is in Sofia - 476, Plovdiv - 336, Burgas - 300, Varna - 267.

There are 588 patients in intensive care units, out of a total of 7,100 hospitalized patients. The number of cured patients in the past 24 hours is 4,290.

157 patients with Covid-19 have died in the past day.

Pulmonary hospital in Veliko Tarnovo urgently needs doctors for Covid-19 ward

The situation in the municipal lung diseases hospital in the town of Veliko Tarnovo is extremely worrying due to the lack of doctors and the constantly growing number of patients. The director of the medical institution, Dr. Stella Dencheva, has warned that the hospital could close after the New Year. There are sick doctors as well as doctors who have given their notice to leave.

The Covid-19 ward of the hospital currently treats 19 patients, there are other patients with non-specific lung diseases, as well as patients with tuberculosis. "With eight doctors needed, we have only three in the hospital, which dooms the hospital to closure", Dr. Stella Dencheva told the BNR's correspondent in Veliko Tarnovo.

New project provides support for those affected in the tourism industry

Tourist guides and mountain guides whose activities have been suspended due to the restrictive measures related to the pandemic will also be able to receive financial assistance. A new project will provide a total of 1.5 m euros for 1,500 people to present landmarks and other tourist sites online, Bulgaria's Tourism Ministry has announced.

Compiled by Darina Grigorova

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