Covid-19 in Bulgaria: Day 398

published on 4/9/21 7:25 PM

Traffic jam at the exit of Sofia on Friday evening (April 9)

Photo: BGNES

Bulgaria likely to extend anti-epidemic measures until end of May

"The spread of the coronavirus pandemic cannot be contained by the end of April, although there has been a slight decline in the number of Covid-19 cases," Bulgaria’s Chief State Health Inspector Associate Professor Angel Kunchev said for BNT.

The anti-epidemic measures will probably have to continue until the end of May, added Dr. Kunchev. "The hospitals have enough capacity to admit patients, but I don't know how long the medics will be able to continue working, because they are extremely exhausted", stressed Angel Kunchev. Despite the lower incidence rates, we have not yet registered a reduction in the number of Covid-19 hospitalizations and it is too early to relax, added Dr. Kunchev.

According to Angel Kunchev, it is worth completing the inoculation against the coronavirus, because the risk of side effects after vaccination is too small. The Oxford vaccine should be given with caution in women under 60 who are overweight, smoke and take birth control pills, the vaccination authorities say.

Bulgaria reports 2,957 new cases of Covid-19 in past 24 hours

2,957 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 16,083 tests performed, indicate data of the Single Coronavirus Information Portal. The highest number of new infections was reported in Sofia-716, followed by Varna-279 and Plovdiv-234.

There are 71,227 active cases of Covid-19 at present. A total of 10,404 patients are in hospital, as 813 of them are in intensive care units.

136 people have died and 3,314 people have recovered in the past 24 hours.

19,063 vaccines have been administered in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of inoculations against Covid-19 to 552,516.

People vaccinated with Astra Zeneca should get the second dose, member of Vaccine Task Force says

Those vaccinated with AstraZeneca should continue with a second dose of the same vaccine, if no adverse reactions occurred after the first dose, Prof. Mariana Murdzheva, rector of the Medical University in the city of Plovdiv and a member of the National Vaccine Task Force, has told Radio Plovdiv. It is known that thrombosis is well known clinical reaction. For example, it occurs with the Ebola vaccine. So far, the European Medicines Agency has not reported any cases of thrombosis after a second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine, Prof. Mariana Murdzheva said. "The risk of thrombosis is many times lower than the risk of infection," she added.

Tourism business accuses authorities of discriminatory restrictions

In a letter to the authorities, the Association of Bulgarian Tour Operators and Travel Agents strongly disagreed with the discriminatory restrictions in yesterday's order of the Minister of Health and its selective attitude towards various economic sectors. The letter states that tourism is the most severely affected industry and Bulgarian tour operators are left on the brink of survival, bgtourism.bg reported. Tour operators have spoken out against the chaos in the measures and call for allowing group tourist trips in the country and abroad.

They warn that the current state policy is not only ineffective in the fight against Covid-19, but also leads to huge economic losses and threatens the European idea of free movement.

NSI: industrial production and construction indices remain unchanged, turnover indices in retail trade increase

In February 2021, the Industrial Production Index and the Construction Production Index remained almost unchanged as compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, the turnover indices in retail trade increased, indicates data of the National Statistical Institute. However, the three economic sectors continue to decline on an annual basis. Industrial Production Index in the mining and quarrying industry increased by 27% on a monthly basis.

Industrial Production Index in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply decreased by 1.5%. Industrial Production Index in the manufacturing industry fell 1.4%. Construction Production Index increased by 0.2% compared to January, but decreased by 4.2% year on year. Turnover indices in retail trade increased by 3% compared to January, except for the retail trade in food, beverages and tobacco products, where a 0.2% decrease was registered.

Compiled by Joan Kolev and Radio Bulgaria's News Team

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.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!