Non-compliance with anti-epidemic measures is worrying: Dr. Stanimir Hasardzhiev

Covid-19 poses huge risk to patients with chronic diseases, Dr. Stanimir Hasardzhiev, Chairman of the National Patients’ Organization told BNR. In his words, it is very worrying that people do not follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the European Commission for physical distancing. Bulgaria’s health system is not prepared to meet such a challenge, which is also reason for concern, Dr Hasardzhiev says further. Cardiologist Professor Mladen Grigorov contends that Covid-19 pandemic has created psychopandemic. There is nothing clear about the novel coronavirus- we don’t know where it came from, how it is spread or how to cure it. Professor Grigorov also voiced hopes that the Russian vaccine against Covid-19 will be effective. 

Bulgaria reports 210 new cases of coronavirus

The new cases of coronavirus in Bulgaria for the past 24 hours are 210, or 3.9% of the total number of 5,388 PCR tests performed. This is shown by the data of the Unified Information Portal. The biggest number of positive samples was reported in Sofia - 59, followed by the districts of Plovdiv - 31, Blagoevgrad - 24, Dobrich - 17, and Varna - 14. There are 861 people with coronavirus infection in hospital, 64 of them are in the intensive care units. For the second day in a row, 12 people passed away in this country. 174 people recovered. The active cases of coronavirus in Bulgaria at the moment are 5,097. The total number of Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria rose to 13,722.

Wearing of face masks is mandatory at public events in Plovdiv

Due to the deteriorating epidemic situation in Plovdiv district, wearing of face masks remains mandatory at football games, concerts and other scenic events, the District Crisis headquarters decided. District Governor of Plovdiv Region Dani Kanazireva called on the mayors to assist the control bodies to limit the contacts between the visitors at certain events. Two more hospitals in Plovdiv are to start admitting patients with Covid-19 as of next Monday. The two hospitals will provide a total of 40 beds for Covid-19 patients.

Citizens' questions about coronavirus are most often related to quarantine

Between 350 and 400 inquiries are received each day on the national telephone line 02 807 87 57 for questions related to Covid-19. The line was opened by the Ministry of Health in February. The most common questions are related to quarantine and who is subject to isolation on arrival from another country. Questions about coronavirus symptoms are less common. It also happens that panicked citizens call in search of reassurance. Immediately after its opening, the hotline was very busy, but these days the situation has been calmer, BNR reporter Poli Nacheva informs.

Number of charter flights to Varna and Burgas fall significantly

The number of charter flights to Bulgaria’s coastal city of Varna decreased by 80% in the current summer season. The number of charter flights to Burgas decreased by 83%, data of Varna and Burgas airports show. According to the Chief Executive of Bulgaria Air Hristo Todorov, quoted by BNT, the crews take all necessary measures for disinfection and distance during the flights. The Bulgarian planes have been equipped with Hepa filter which purifies air in cabins, Hristo Todorov says. All passengers are obliged to wear face masks during the flight. Disinfectants are placed in the sanitary facilities, Hristo Todorov further informs.

Rise of number of tourists in two Black Sea resorts

At the backdrop of tourism decline in the country as a whole because of the coronavirus pandemic, Sozopol, "Gradina" Camping, and Lozenets on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast report a rise in number of overnight stays during this tourist season compared to the past. This was reported by "Trud" newspaper. According to the article, tourists even had difficulties finding vacant rooms during the weekend. Most of the tourists are Bulgarians, who traditionally prefer to spend their holidays in Greece, Italy, France or Spain, but at the moment choose the Bulgarian Black Sea coast because of difficulties related to the pandemic.

Bulgaria wants spectators at stadiums, UEFA does not allow it

The matches of the new edition of the Champions League and Europa League will be played behind closed doors, including the playoffs stage. This was announced by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Thus, despite the regulations in Bulgaria, which state that matches can be held at 50% full capacity of the stadiums, all matches of the Bulgarian teams under the auspices of UEFA will be held without fans, the website "Sportal" has reported.

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: Diana Tsankova