Less than 5% of PCR tests from the last 24 hours are positive, 159 new cases

With 3,341 PCR tests performed for the last 24 hours in Bulgaria, a total of 159, or 4.76%, gave a positive result for Covid-19. Thus, the total number of registered cases of the infection in the country have reached 7,411 people, of which 3,618 are active cases. Most new infections are in Sofia - 73, followed by Plovdiv - 19, and Dobrich - 12. This is shown by official data published on the Unified Information Portal at midnight. 529 patients with coronavirus are in hospital, of which 29 are in intensive care units. In the last 24 hours, 8 people died in the country and 198 were cured.

Unemployment rises by 96,000 people due to Covid-19

The newly registered unemployed persons in Bulgaria have reached just over 218,000 for the period from February 3 to July 12. This is shown by the latest data of the National Statistical Institute and the Employment Agency from the special monitoring of the labour market due to the crisis with Covid-19. During the same period, nearly 122,000 people registered with the employment offices started a new job. In half of the districts in the country, including Sofia, the newly registered in the employment offices are more than the ones who found new jobs.

Austria bans passenger flights from Bulgaria from July 15 to 31

Austrian authorities have banned passenger flights from Bulgaria and other, mainly Balkan, countries from July 15^th to 31^st due to the increased cases of Covid-19. The decree does not apply to cargo flights, repatriation flights, medical aviation and flights related to the national interests of Austria.

Bulgarians are more affected by Covid crisis than average Europeans

Bulgarians have been more severely affected by the Covid-19 crisis than the average European. 41% of people in Bulgaria have lost incomes compared to 28% in Europe. 38% had to withdraw their savings in comparison to 22% in the rest of the EU. 74% of Bulgarians want the EU to have more power to deal with the pandemic, according to a Kantar study commissioned by the European Parliament. 52% of respondents believe that a significant part of the EU budget should go for healthcare, and 50% want help to be provided to businesses in order to recover from the crisis. Half of Bulgarians are aware of the measures the EU is taking against the pandemic, which is above the EU average. However, only 42% are satisfied with the measures.

Covid-19 certificate does not stop testing of tourists going to Greece

As of July 14th, Greek authorities have reinstated the system for filing declarations for tourists wishing to enter the country. Starting on July 15, the document must be accompanied by a negative test for Covid -19. The authenticity of the test, which must be translated into English, will be verified. In case of a fictitious document, the European legislation for forgery of a public certificate is applied, lawyers say. The certificate does not cancel the right of the Greek authorities to selectively test people entering the country. Tourists from all over Europe enter through the Kulata-Promachonas border crossing and that is why depending on their place of residence in recent weeks, some of them are tested for coronavirus.

Grigor Dimitrov tests negative for Covid-19, ready to participate at US tennis tournaments

Bulgaria’s best tennis player Grigor Dimitrov has announced on his Instagram profile that he tested negative for Covid-19. “I just got great news from the doctor in Monaco that I am confirmed Covid-19 negative. Thank you for all the support these past weeks during my quarantine. I look forward to getting back to training shortly in order to be ready for hardcourt swing”, Dimitrov wrote. On June 21 Grigor Dimitrov tested positive for Covid-19 during Adria Tour tennis tournament in Zadar, Croatia.

Compiled by: Gergana Mancheva

The news about Covid-19 today gave way to the public discontent that began this week as well as the demonstrations for and against the government, and rallies in support of the prime minister and the president. You will find the major headlines related to these developments in the News section on our website.

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.