Bulgaria seeks assistance from 120 countries for upcoming Parliamentary elections

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted more than 120 countries on occasion of the forthcoming Parliamentary elections on April 4 and the opportunity for Bulgarians abroad to exercise their constitutional right to vote. "We will face many unexpected challenges, because the countries are constantly changing the anti-epidemic measures," this country’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev told Nova TV. More polling stations will open in some European countries, Deputy Minister Georgiev went on to say. For instance, in Germany there will be 39 polling stations outside the diplomatic missions, added Georg Georgiev.

Bulgaria to gradually ease anti-epidemic measures

We are easing the anti-epidemic measures sector by sector. Measures in the fields of culture and sports will be alleviated first. We will continue monitoring the trend," said in Varna Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Professor Kostadin Angelov. We will monitor the situation in the next 14 days before we make the next step, added Kostadin Angelov. At least 30% of the teachers, the non-teaching staff and the residents of care homes are ready to get vaccinated against Covdi-19, said Kostadin Angelov. In his words, the first phase of immunization in Northeastern Bulgaria will be completed by the end of January and the second phase will begin at the beginning of February. The necessary quantity of vaccines is available, assured Minister Angelov. We will receive vaccines necessary for the inoculation of 2 million people, even if reduced quantities of Covid-19 vaccines arrive in Bulgaria, Kostadin Angelov went on to say. Eight cases of the British coronavirus variant were registered in Bulgaria, confirmed Minister Angelov.

Facilities for extracurricular activities to open in February

From February 4, when the gradual return of pupils from the upper grades to the classrooms begins, the facilties for extracurricular activities will open, Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov announced. "We must be very careful when we are loosening the anti-epidemic measures, because the balance is frail", Boyko Borissov added. “We do not want to find ourselves in a situation when mortality and morbidity rates increase again and hospitals are put under extra pressure. Then the same people will ask why measures are eased”, Premier Borissov added.

Bulgaria reports 566 new cases of Covid-19 out of 9,786 tests performed

566 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 9,786 tests performed, indicate data of the Single Coronavirus Information Portal. 6% of the tests have returned positive result. The highest number of new infections was registered in Sofia-119, followed by Plovdiv-47 and Pazardzhik-40. 1,248 people have recovered and 58 patients have died in the past 24 hours. 2,844 patients are being treated in hospital, 284 of whom in intensive care units.19 medics have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection in the past 24 hours. 9,384 medics have tested positive for Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. 850 Bulgarians have been inoculated in the past 24 hours, thus bringing the total number of vaccinations in this country to 26,101.

Peoples' lives to return to normal within one year thanks to vaccines: epidemiologist

Immune response after the Covid-19 inoculation is expected to last up to two years, Dr. Peter Markov, an epidemiologist and lecturer at the London School of Tropical Medicine, told bTV. In his view, it will be difficult to eradicate the virus, but it can be kept under control through various substances. The epidemiologist predicts that within a year people will return to a normal lifestyle. Early inoculation is more important than "fine selection”, Peter Markov went on to say. "The differences between the three available vaccines are overestimated," added Dr. Peter Markov. “There will be no need to introduce a lockdown, if all people wear masks, keep distance, work from home whenever possible and avoid visiting restaurants", the expert said.

Patients with cancer should get Covid-19 vaccine as well: Dr. Jeliazko Arabadjiev

Patients with cancer should be inoculated against Covid-19 as well, Dr. Jeliazko Arabadjiev, Head of Clinic of Medical Oncology at Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda hospital,told bTV. In his view, it is difficult to say which vaccine is recommended, but currently people are more inclined to choose the two vaccines available in Bulgaria. "Patients with cancer, especially those who are undergoing cancer treatment, have weakened immune systems. That is why RNA vaccines are more suitable for them, because they do not introduce a live virus to the body", explained Jeliazko Arabadjiev. Inoculation is recommended for patients with autoimmune diseases when they are treated with immunotherapy, added Dr Arabadjiev.

Compiled by Diana Tsankova

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