Second phase of Covid-19 inoculation begins in Bulgaria

Bulgarians inoculated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are now receiving their second dose. Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Professor Kostadin Angelov was among the re-inoculated against Covid-19. "Bulgaria has ordered all types of COVID-19 vaccines. The country is not guided by company or other interests", Minister Angelov said. "Partial inoculation of teachers and elderly people accommodated in care homes begins where possible. A second dose of Covid-19 vaccine has been provided for all Bulgarians who have been vaccinated", Minister Angelov added. It also became clear that the authorities will set up special centers to administer Covid-19 vaccines if necessary.

Authorities to decide on stage-by-stage easing of restrictions this week

The authorities are discussing a stage-by-stage lifting of the anti-epidemic measures in the country. “We are receiving different proposals regarding the reopening of sites,”said Social Minister Denitsa Sacheva for Nova TV. “There are proposals that we should start with the winter resorts because for them the season is almost over. Perhaps as of mid-February – for restaurants and drinking establishments on the territory of big cities. For shopping malls the restrictions will continue a while longer,” Minister Sacheva added. “Unfortunately the crisis will transform some of the businesses – and not just the hotel and restaurant business. On 14 January unemployment stood at 7.02%. The number of registered unemployed persons is 230,604”, Minister Sacheva said.

6.4% out of 1,194 coronavirus tests performed in past 24 hours return positive

77 is the number of newly registered Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria out of 1,194 tests performed over the past 24 hours,Single Coronavirus Information Portal data show. 3,485 coronavirus patients are being treated in hospital, of them 341 in intensive care. 9 people have died and 396 patients have recovered over the past 24 hours. 18,453 have so far been vaccinated in the country, 121 – in the past 24 hours.

Domestic violence increases during pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, there has been an increase in domestic violence in all EU countries, especially against women, Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Desislava Ahladova said in an interview for BNR's Horizont channel. Data of a national survey indicates that domestic violence accounts for three-quarters of all cases of violence. According to 56% of citizens, this is the worst situation they have experienced. That is why, draft amendments to the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act have been submitted to Bulgaria’s National Assembly. Minister Ahladova voiced hopes that the amendments would be voted in Parliament soon. The Istanbul Convention is a closed issue for Bulgaria. However, all recommendations by the European Commission and various control and monitoring mechanisms under the UN Convention in the field remain, Minister Ahladova added.

Baby with Covid-19 antibodies born in Pazardzhik hospital

A 28-year-old woman from Pazardzhik (Southern Bulgaria) infected with coronavirus, gave birth to a baby with antibodies to Covid-19.The woman was admitted to the local hospital with fever, cough and malaise. Doctors performed a caesarean section because the coronavirus had caused placental changes and fetal growth had slowed. The baby is in good health. Its antigen test showed presence of antibodies. Doctors will continue monitoring the baby after discharge. 

Road traffic accidents and fatalities decrease during Covid-19 crisis

The number of serious road accidents in Bulgaria has decreased by 15%. In 2020, road traffic fatalities amounted to 466, which is 164 people less than in 2019, this country’s Minister of Interior Hristo Terziiski said during an inspection in Plovdiv district. "Less road traffic fatalities (450) were registered in 1961 only, Minister Terziyski noted. "However, there are 15 million cars more on the Bulgarian roads at present", commented Bulgaria’s Primier Boyko Borissov, who also participated at the inspection, BTA reported. According to the non-governmental Road Safety Institute, this is due to the fact that people travel less during the pandemic.

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Compiled by G. Mancheva and Radio Bulgaria’s news team