Increasing hospital capacity has been recommended

The National Coronavirus Headquarters discussed today the readiness of Bulgarian hospitals with intensive care units to increase their capacity if necessary, the government’s press service announced. Against the backdrop of growing cases of Covid-19, the health specialists forecast that this country’s healthcare system will experience great difficulties, if 100 patients are admitted for hospital treatment on a daily basis. The Bulgarian hospitals have already announced that EUR 305 allotted by the National Health Insurance Fund for hospital treatment of each patient with Covid-19 is quite insufficient, because treatment continues for an average of 14 to 20 days, i.e. twice longer than the hospital treatment of a patient with typical pneumonia and Covid-19 patients are discharged from hospital after two negative PCR tests.

New rise in number of coronavirus cases

140 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours, out of 4,525 PCR tests made, data of the Coronavirus Information Portal show. 60 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Smolyan district in the past 24 hours. 21 cases of Covid-19 were registered in Sofia city. Four people died with Covid-19 and 74 Bulgarians recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria reached 4,831.

Another week of quarantine for Romani neighborhood in Kyustendil

The full quarantine for the 12,000-strong Roma neighbourhood "Iztok" in the town of Kyustendil is extended until July 8, the Regional Crisis Headquarters announced after a meeting with the Chief State Health Inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev. When there are outbreaks, there is a possibility of diffuse spread and of the virus exiting out of the outbreak. We had such local outbreaks in many places and we extinguished them within a week. Most of the tests that are currently being done are at the initiative of an employer, municipality or organization, which is not recommended because we find a picture that changes in just two days. In the opinion of Kunchev, it is currently better to take preventive measures to reduce the spread of the infection.

No quarantine for Bulgarians entering Romania

The National Institute of Public Health of Romania has published a list of countries from the so-called "green zone" for coronavirus. The list took effect on June 30. Citizens of green zone countries who are asymptomatic of a coronavirus infection are not subject to quarantine when entering Romania. Bulgaria is also included in the list of 22 EU countries. All asymptomatic persons arriving in Romania from countries not included in the list are obliged to remain under home isolation for a period of 14 days.

Quarantine for persons entering from North Macedonia extended

The 14-day quarantine for those entering Bulgaria from North Macedonia will remain valid after July 1, Bulgaria's national health inspector Angel Kunchev announced during a visit to Kyustendil. More than 15,000 people from North Macedonia with address registration in Kyustendil have dual citizenship. They expected that the measure would be lifted on July 1 and they could arrive in the country for administrative services, to pay taxes or on other occasions. Those coming from the most affected countries - the United States, Russia, Brazil and India - will not be allowed to enter the EU, Kunchev added.

Prime Minister calls for complying with anti-epidemic measures

During a meeting of the National Operational Headquarters for Combating the Coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Borissov pointed out that the increase in the number of people infected with Covid-19 was due to the crowding of people during family celebrations and football matches. He called on people to observe all measures regarding physical distancing, disinfection, and most of all discipline, adding that there were millions of people infected around the world.

Bulgaria to receive additional 692 million euros for recovery from pandemic

According to preliminary data of the European Commission, Bulgaria is to receive another 692 million euros in addition to the European programs from the current programming period through the EU instrument for overcoming the consequences of the pandemic crisis REACT-EU. The funds are aimed at overcoming the negative consequences of Covid-19 and are intended to reach enterprises and public institutions, said MEP Andrey Novakov, who is a coordinator in the Regional Development Committee and a member of the Budget Committee at the European Parliament.

Bulgarians do not trust main sources of information

There is underlying conviction among Bulgarian citizens that the pandemic caused by Covid-19 is not that dangerous. The more successful the measures, the more impatient the people, sociologist Parvan Simeonov from Gallup International has told the BNR. The sociological agency conducted a poll in 19 countries on people’s attitudes towards the development of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the survey, Bulgarians do not trust the main sources of information and are looking for alternatives. According to Parvan Simeonov, at the beginning of the pandemic the government’s rating was high due to the timely measures that were adopted in Bulgaria. Now, its rating is high, because the restrictive measures are being relaxed.

Compiled by: Diana Tsankova and News Team

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