17 new Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria, most of them in Pleven region

17 new Covid-19 cases have been registered in Bulgaria today – 2 in Sofia region and 15 in Pleven region, Central Bulgaria. This brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country by 5 PM on 24 April up to 1,188. The biggest number of confirmed cases is in Sofia - 625, in Pleven - 94 and in Vidin - 50.

282 of the patients with a confirmed coronavirus infection are hospitalized, 41 are in intensive care. 54 have died of Covid-19. 193 have recovered.

Concern over increase in number of medical workers infected with coronavirus

The number of medical staff infected with coronavirus has been growing at an alarming rate – 34 new cases were registered over the past 24 hours, bringing the number of infected medical workers up to 129, or 11% of all Covid-19 cases. The biggest number of medical workers with coronavirus work at Pirogov emergency hospital and at the hospital in the town of Vidin, the National Crisis Staff said at its regular briefing this morning.

Wearing of protective masks in public spaces mandatory until 13 May

All members of the public who are in closed or open public spaces must wear disposable or reusable masks, or some other kind of face protection covering the nose and the mouth (scarf, kerchief etc.) until 13 May, 2020, reads an order by Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev issued on 24 April, 2020. The order is issued in connection with the worsening epidemiological situation connected with the spread of Covid-19 in Bulgaria and the increase in the number of coronavirus cases.

Blood plasma treatment for Covid-19 to start in Bulgaria as of next week

Chief State Health Inspector, Dr. Angel Kunchev has announced that treatment with blood plasma from people who have recovered from Covid-19 can be applied in Bulgaria as of next week. “Plasmapheresis can be done – plasma is a product which can be frozen and keeps for months. And when it is taken immediately after recovery from the infection it has a very good effect,” he commented. The relevant document that would allow hospitals wishing to apply this kind of therapy to do so will be ready next week, Dr. Kunchev said.

47,300 staff affected by the crisis

According to latest data of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions the people affected work for 91 big and medium-sized enterprises out of a total of 114 enterprises monitored.  In 78% of the companies where social tension has been registered, the workers are on paid leave, in 26% - on unpaid leave, in 13% of the cases there are to be, or already have been staff cuts. The employees affected most are from Kazanluk, Blagoevgrad, Dobrich, Stara Zagora, Dimitrovgrad, Vratsa, Sliven, Gabrovo, Razlog, Bansko, as well as Burgas, Varna and Haskovo.

Ombudsman demands clearer and more accessible information regarding measures in support of businesses

Ombudsman Diana Kovacheva has asked Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov that the information regarding the ministry’s measures in support of businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic be presented clearly and accessibly. Diana Kovacheva did so because of the numerous complaints lodged by people who are self-employed, tradesmen, independent professionals and farmers over the lack of publicly available information about the measures. Ombudsman Kovacheva advised the ministry to state publicly which of the measures will be financed from the state budget and which – from the European budget.

Declarations for exiting Sofia are not stopping people from leaving the city

Long lines of cars have formed at all checkpoints around Sofia. Late on Friday afternoon, the last work day of the week, the longest line of cars formed at the exist point on Trakia motorway which stretched for around 4 kilometres. To leave the capital city people living in Sofia have to submit a declaration at the police posts. Traffic is expected to be exceedingly heavy again on Sunday, but in the opposite direction.

53.5% of Bulgarian enterprises report revenue decline in March

A poll by the National Statistical Institute on the effect of the state of emergency on the economy shows that in March 53.5% of Bulgarian enterprises marked a decline in sales revenues. 36.3% report no change and 9.5% report a rise in revenue. In the spheres of culture, sports, entertainment, repair of household appliances, the number of enterprises affected reaches 70.6%. In industry, this percentage is 52.9%; in construction - 51.2%, and in the trade, transport and restaurant business - 56.3%. A total of 80.6% of the non-financial enterprises included in the survey predict that they will continue their activity; 15.4% say that they will temporarily stop, and 2% answer that they will terminate their activity.

Authorities warn fake sites are offering equipment against Covid-19

The Bulgarian Directorate-General for Combating Organized Crime has warned that fake sites are offering Covid-19 protection equipment, demanding a 70% down payment and never sending the products ordered. The domain names of the fake sites are specifically designed to resemble the official sites of actual pharmaceutical companies. The fictitious companies identified so far are the following: MSN PHARMA LTD; MSN PHARMA GLOBAL; MSN SOLUTIONS; MSN GROUP OF COMPANIES; MEDICAL LEASE; SANTE PUBLIQUE FRANCE. Bulgarian companies that have had orders and contacts with one of the above-mentioned companies can report the fact to the Cybercrime Department of the Directorate.

59% of Bulgarians oppose closing of parks

Approval of the actions of the Bulgarian government in the conditions of pandemic continues strong though it has declined somewhat compared to the beginning of the state of emergency. Most Bulgarians say that the country is coping well as it is registering low levels of incidence. Compared to Match, the number of people who are worried about the coronavirus has dropped by 7%, down to 57%, 24% say they are experiencing panic. The share of people who regard the situation as “to-do” has gone up by 6 points, reaching 18%. The data are from a sociological survey conducted by Gallup International from 21 to 23 April. The ban on traveling between towns is not supported by 53%, compared to 40% the previous month. There is serious criticism of the closure of parks: 59% are “against”, 39% are “for”, the rest cannot say either way.

Muslims welcome Ramadan with restrictions because of Covid-19

The holy month of Ramadan for the Muslims in Bulgaria begins today under stringent restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. Under an ordinance by the Grand Mufti mosques are closed and prayers will be streamed online. It is recommended that gatherings and family get-togethers take place in a small circle. An order of the Minister of Health temporarily prohibits the entry of people and passenger vehicles from Turkey. The prohibition will be in place from midnight on 24 April until 11.59 PM on 26 April.

Free parking in Sofia extended until 3 May

Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova has announced that the free parking in the "blue" and "green" zones downtown Sofia which expires today will be extended until 3 May. She is proposing that parks and gardens, as well as Mount Vitosha be opened to parents with children. The organization is underway for setting down one-way routes for them. However Mayor Fandakova stated that she would wait for a decision by the National Crisis Staff whether parks and gardens will be opened for walks with children.

EU Pharmaceutical Group: The charges against the chair of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union are unfounded

The Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU) has sent a letter to the prime minister, the prosecutor general and the ombudsman of Bulgaria, demanding that the Bulgarian authorities drop the charges of panic-mongering brought against Prof. Asena Stoimenova, chair of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union. The charges were brought against her after she warned of possible shortages of medicines because of the coronavirus pandemic in interviews for Bulgarian National Radio and Bulgarian National TV. The PGEU writes that the EU’s ongoing initiatives show that such a risk does exist or at least is not to be ruled out.

Compiled by Diana Tsankova and news team