Dr. Angel Kunchev calls for extension of emergency epidemic situation

Bulgaria’s Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev has demanded an extension of the emergency epidemic situation in this country due to the complicated coronavirus situation in Dospat, Sarnitsa and Sliven. The current emergency epidemic situation is in force until June 14. In Dr. Kunchev’s view, we cannot talk about a second wave of Covid-19, but rather of cluster cases of the novel coronavirus. The situation in these Bulgarian towns is complicated. That is why common measures need to be adopted in all municipalities, Angel Kunchev contends. Bulgaria’s authorities are to decide in the coming days until when the emergency epidemic situation will be extended. Some measures such as border control will remain after the possible extension of the emergency epidemic situation. However, we are not planning to restrict intercity travels or the access to parks and gardens, Angel Kunchev pointed out.

President Rumen Radev wants clear criteria behind possible extension of emergency measures

According to him, there was lack of such criteria both when the state of emergency was declared and when the emergency situation was abruptly lifted. Earlier today, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced that tomorrow he would discuss possible extension of the epidemic situation with the National Headquarters, after calls from chief health inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev. Because of the complicated situation in the Rhodopes, Assoc. Prof. Kunchev said that it was necessary to extend the emergency situation, which expires on June 15.

Number of infected on the rise

Out of 1406 samples tested for the past 24 hours, 83 have turned positive for coronavirus.This is shown by the data of the National Information System. The distribution by districts of the new cases is as follows: Smolyan - 52, Sofia - 14, Sofia district - 4, Razgrad and Pazardzhik - 3 each, Blagoevgrad - 2, Lovech, Pleven, Sliven, Stara Zagora and Shumen - 1 each. Thus, the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Bulgaria has reached 2,810 as 1,059 of them are active. The total number of registered medical professionals with a positive coronavirus test is 297. There were 152 hospitalized patients with a proven coronavirus infection. 15 of them are in intensive care units. The death toll from the virus has reached 164, with 4 new fatalities in the last 24 hours. 1,587 have been cured, 39 of whom were registered in the last 24 hours.

Rise in number of newly-infected is alarming

We should maintain physical distancing and disinfection procedures, regardless of whether the emergency epidemic situation continues, Vice-President of Bulgaria’s National Assembly Dr. Nigyar Dzhafer said and added anti-epidemic rules must be observed, because there were local outbreaks of Covid-19. Dr Dzhafer contends that the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in some Bulgarian regions is a reason for concern. In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, Dr. Nigyar Dzhafer commented that the activity of the institutions such as The Regional Health Inspectorates, the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior and the border authorities would be legitimized, if the emergency epidemic situation was extended. We will count on the self-discipline of the people, if the emergency epidemic situation is not extended, Dr. Dzhafer said further.

We have declared victory too fast

Social isolation, hygiene and mass tests can effectively curb the epidemic. This is the opinion of Prof. Kosta Kostov, pulmonologist and coordinator of the former Expert Medical Council that was previously established at the Council of Ministers because of the Covid-19 crisis. He told the BNR that the characteristics of the epidemic in Bulgaria were still unknown. Therefore, control of the spread of the virus would be possible if the source of the infection was known. According to Prof. Kostov, more information is needed about the development of the disease.

People should not worry about rise of Covid-19 cases

The increased number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours should not worry us. This was the comment of Dr. Valeri Velev from the Children's Clinic of the Hospital for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Sofia regarding the 83 positive coronavirus samples registered for the last 24 hours, 52 of which - in the Smolyan region. According to the infectious disease specialist, outbreaks of the virus will keep appearing for some time to come, but when there is no distribution of cases across the entire country, the infection can be easily controlled through local measures.

Newly employed are more than those laid off

For the third week in a row, the newly registered unemployed in the Labour Offices are less than those who started new jobs. For the period 1-7 June they are respectively 7,394 and 10,963 people. This is shown by the data of the National Statistical Institute and the Employment Agency. For the period from February 3 until now, the newly registered unemployed are a little over 187,500 people, and the number of registered unemployed from the Labor Offices - 83,950 people. The peak of unemployment was reported in the period April 6-12, when 31,500 people registered with the Labour Offices and just under 3,000 started working.

Expected economic decline of 6,2% because ofCovid-19

The coronavirus crisis will shrink the global gross domestic product by 5.2% in 2020. For the Bulgarian economy, the forecast is a decline of 6.2% for 2020 and a recovery next year to a growth of 4.3%. This is data indicated in the World Bank's Global Economic Prospects reports. In January, the bank had a forecast for Bulgaria for an economic growth of 3% for this year and 3.1% for next year.

Employers show pessimism

Just 9% of employers in Bulgaria plan to hire new employees during the summer. 15 percent plan to reduce their teams and 67% do not plan to change the number of their staff. This is shown by a ManpowerGroup poll conducted among 353 Bulgarian employers during the restrictions measures related to Covid-19.More than 20 percent of respondents expect the situation to be back to pre-epidemic levels within three months. A slight increase in employment by about 3% is expected in the sectors of financial and business services, as well as industry. In the public and social sector, transport and communications, a decline of 13% is expected, and in construction the decline is expected to reach 18%. Compared to the previous quarter, employers of large enterprises reported a decline of 25% and forecasts of medium-sized, small and micro enterprises decreased by 21, 11 and 3 percentage points, respectively.

Book sales drop because of pandemic

From March until May, 2020, book sales in Bulgaria fell by 50%-70% as compared to the same period last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bulgarian Book Association announced. The data is based on survey among book publishers and book sellers. Online book sales increased by 30% during the period. However, it was not enough to make up for the overall decrease in sales, the representatives of the sector contend. 60% of the publishers have postponed new titles. Translators, editors, proofreaders and illustrators are made redundant due to the impact of Covid-19 on the sector.

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Editor: Diana Tsankova + News Team