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Covid-19 in Bulgaria: Day 225

| updated on 10/18/20 5:32 PM
Photo: AP/BTA

Bulgaria reports 603 new cases of Covid-19

603 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 4,602 PCR tests performed. 13.1% of all PCR tests returned positive.  1,484 people are receiving treatment in hospitals, 79 of whom in intensive care units. 37 patients have recovered and ten people have died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. Most new cases of Covid-19 cases are in Sofia and Plovdiv. 

Bulgaria enters intensive phase of Covid-19 epidemic

The peak of the influenza epidemic in Bulgaria is expected in December and January which will further complicate the situation with Covid-19 pandemic, immunologist Academician Bogdan Petrunov pointed out in an interview for BNT.  We can speak of herd immunity only when 70%-80% of the population has antibodies to Covid-19 and when the spread of coronavirus infection ends, Bogdan Petrunov pointed out. Bulgaria is entering the intensive phase of the second wave of Covid-19. We cannot rely on the herd immunity theory yet, because few people have developed antibodies to Covid-19,  Academician Bogdan Petrunov added.

Genes are likely to determine effect of coronavirus infection on people

We have been witnessing more and more evidence in support of the thesis that genes determine the effect coronavirs infection has on people, Associate Professor Dobrin Vasilev, head of Cardiology Clinic at Alexandrovska University Hospital, said for BNR. Males have a worse response to the coronavirus infection. People with cardiovascular diseases are most at risk due to formation of local blood clots in the lung. We are likely to find antiviral medicine first. It will take longer to discover Covid-19 vaccine, Associate Professor Dobrin Vasilev added.

Over EUR 850 million earmarked for Bulgaria’s agriculture sector

Over EUR 850 million will be allocated for Bulgaria’s agriculture sector until the end of 2020 under European and national funding, Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov said during a visit to a livestock farm. The government is working in full gear to make sure that the financial assistance reaches the citizens quickly amid the Covid-19 crisis, Premier Borissov went on to say and added that the cabinet will continue to adopt measures in support of businesses and people and that every person in need will continue receiving support in the future.

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.

Compiled by: Darina Grigorova


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