Bulgaria’s Morbidity Map: 27 out of 28 Regions Are Covid-19 Red Zones

Society » HEALTH | March 17, 2021, Wednesday // 13:05
Bulgaria: Bulgaria’s Morbidity Map: 27 out of 28 Regions Are Covid-19 Red Zones

The decision on tightening the anti-epidemic measures will be taken on March 17

Twenty-seven out of 28 regions in Bulgaria are now in the Covid-19 red zone, according to a report by the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases for the week ending March 14. Only one of the 28 districts in the country, Targvishte, is not a “red zone”. It is classified as “orange zone” with infection rate of 79 per 100,000 population.

The infection rate is highest in the district of Burgas, where the number of new cases is 676 per 100,000 population.

Four other districts have infection rates higher than 600 per 100, 000 people: Pleven - 647; Sofia city – 638; Vratsa - 636 and Kyustendil – 604

On March 16, 4,637 newly-confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported in Bulgaria for the past 24 hours, which is the second highest number of daily cases since November 17, 2020 when 4,828 were reported in a one day alone.

A record number of patients with Covid-19 are in hospitals, 7,269, including 577 in intensive care. The recovery rate over the past 24 hours is 1,877. A total of 187 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 died.

A decision will be made on Wednesday, March 17, on whether to tighten the anti-epidemic measures in Sofia.

The pressure on hospitals is growing. About 75% of the beds in Sofia are occupied. The number of people in intensive care units is increasing. Increasingly more young patients are being hospitalized with coronavirus. The authorities are preparing a lockdown for Sofia and the region.

There are about 30 children admitted with coronavirus in the hospitals in the capital city of Sofia. The health authorities have taken measures and increased the number of Covid beds in the children's wards. They also plan a lockdown in the city and the district of Sofia.

"Shopping Malls, restaurants, schools, kindergartens, fitness centres will be closed. Cultural events will also be banned. Cinemas, theatres will be closed," said Dr. Dancho Penchev, the Head of the Regional Health Inspectorate (RHI) in Sofia.

"Most likely, the restrictions in Sofia will take effect as of Saturday and as of Monday, possibly in the whole country, if such a decision is reached. The third Covid-19 wave affects almost the whole of Bulgaria. So my opinion is that it is time for a decision for stricter measures across the country,” said Assoc. Prof. Angel Kuchnev - Chief State Health Inspector.

The measures are expected to take effect by the end of the week and be in force for at least 14 days. The order for the hospitals in Sofia to provide further 20% of beds for Covid-19 patients will be changed.

"The increase in Covid-19 cases fills a large part of the capacity of hospitals. In this way, there is a lack of resources for emergency care," said Dr. Slavcho Bliznakov, Head of "St.Anna" hospital in Sofia.

Therefore, each hospital will set up Covid-19 beds according to its capacity, Sofia RHI explained.

Seniors-only shopping hours remain in effect. A final decision on the restrictions in Sofia will be made tomorrow, March 17, at a meeting of the regional coronavirus task force.

 

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Tags: Coronavirus crisis, Bulgaria, morbidity map

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