Bulgaria to buy Russian and Chinese vaccines if they receive official approval by the EU

According to the optimistic scenario, between 1.5 and 2 million people will be inoculated against Covid-19 until the end of August, Professor Todor Kantardzhiev, Director of the National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases told BNR. "In order to avoid possible shortage of vaccines, Bulgaria is to look for other options, including the Russian and the Chinese vaccine, if they receive official approval by the EU. It is speculated that the number of inoculations in Bulgaria is low", virologist Kantardzhiev went on to say and explained that this data is due to the fact that the authorities kept the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine for people who had already received their first doze. "This week, the fourteen-day morbidity has fallen below 100 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people for the first time", said Todor Kantardzhiev. In his words, the gradual opening of the restaurants will take place in April. "We must be cautious and loosen the anti-epidemic measures step-by-step, because of the new coronavirus variant", added Professor Todor Kantardzhiev.

Bulgaria to provide EUR 185 million for businesses in the coming months

Tomorrow, more than 8,000 companies that have applied for state support will start receiving a total of EUR 58 million under the Operational Programme Innovation and Competitiveness, Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov told BNR. On the other hand, the state has already helped 250,000 employees retain their jobs under the 60/40 wage support scheme. EUR 14.5 million has been paid to people employed in the restaurant, tourism and transport industries. In the coming months, nearly EUR 185 million will reach the businesses in the form of state aid due to the second lockdown, Minister Borisov added. In 2020, this country’s GDP decreased by 4%, Lachezar Borissov went on to say. "In 2021, the economic growth may cover about 80% of the losses incurred during the crisis," Minister Borisov added.

Bulgaria reports 266 new cases of Covid-19 out of 4,479 tests performed

266 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 4,479 tests performed, show data of the Single Coronavirus Information Portal. Nearly 6% of the tests have returned positive result. The highest number of new infections was registered in Sofia-66, followed by Burgas-36 and Varna-25. 286 people have recovered and 12 patients have died in the past 24 hours. 2,857 patients are being treated in hospital, 281 of whom in intensive care wards. Four medics have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, thus brining the total number of medics diagnosed with the coronavirus infection to 9,388. 18 people have been inoculated in the past day. 26,119 people have been vaccinated until now. 4,610 have received their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

Bulgaria is not highly endangered by the new coronavirus variant: Dr Branzalov

"It is unlikely that the new coronavirus variant will spread as fast as in Great Britain", Dr. Nikolay Branzalov, Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Medical Union, said for bTV. "We are not witnessing such an intense movement of people and so many ethnic groups in Bulgaria", he said. Regarding the anti-epidemic measures, Dr. Branzalov said that Bulgaria has not yet reached the initial levels of morbidity. “The figures will tell us when to loosen the restrictions”, Nikolay Branzalov went on to say. "Patients with chronic diseases are afraid to visit hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic, but their diseases require active monitoring", concluded Dr. Branzalov.

Coronavirus disease is curable if caught on time: Dr. Nikolay Uvaliev

"I have been working in the field of coronavirus pandemic for three months and I can say that Covid-19 is a curable disease," Dr. Nikolay Uvaliev from Acibadem City Clinic - Mladost said in an interview for Nova TV.  The most important thing is to begin medical treatment before changes become irreversible. In Nikolay Uvaliev’s view, if a possible new wave of coronavirus infection occurs in Bulgaria, this country would face serious problems with regard to the admission of patients with severe symptoms to hospitals. The pressure on the intensive care wards still remains, although the number of people admitted to hospitals has decreased in the recent weeks, Dr. Uvaliev commented further. People should seek medical assistance when they feel the first symptoms of coronavirus infection, said Nikolay Uvaliev.

Vaccines do not modify our genetic code: Professor Georgi Hristov

"People's fears that coronavirus vaccines will modify their genetic code and that microchips will be injected in their body are unfounded," allergist Georgi Hristov said in an interview for Nova TV. An artificial RNA molecule is introduced into the body, but it does not reach the cell’s nucleus, Dr Hristov explained. In his words, it is not true that the RNA vaccines used for inoculation against Covid-19 were developed in one year. The RNA-based vaccine platform goes back to 1990, Professor Georgi Hristov explained. He advised people not to believe any unverified information.

Compiled by: Diana Tsankova

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