We have not yet detected cases of Omicron coronavirus variant in Bulgaria, but it is only a matter of time before an Omicron case is proven, as we could not avoid none of the previous variants, Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Health Stoycho Katsarov said for bTV.

 “However, Bulgaria does not need to introduce more stringent anti-epidemic measures”, Minister Katsarov said. A day earlier, however, this country’s Deputy Minister of Health Toma Tomov said that the authorities were considering stricter measures, if the test for Covid-19 which is suspected to be from the Omicron variant turns positive.

 According to Minister Katsarov, the high Covid-19 mortality in Bulgaria is due to three reasons. "Firstly, people refuse to receive vaccines. Secondly, the Delta variant is worse than the previous variants and causes people to develop more serious illnesses. Last, but not least, Bulgaria’s health system is in poor condition". In Minister Katsarov’s words, 90% of the Covid-related deaths are among people aged 60 and over and among the unvaccinated. “Lozenets Hospital will house pediatric patients until a national children's hospital is built. This is our final decision”, Minister Katsarov further said.