The number of new cases of Covid-19 and the number of inoculations against the novel coronavirus have increased over the past week, stressed Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Professor Kostadin Angelov at the regular weekly briefing on the spread of Covid-19 in this country. Meanwhile, inoculation against Covid-19 during the so-called “green corridors” has been temporarily suspended because of the shortage of Covid-19 vaccines. On the other hand, restaurants and nightclubs are preparing to reopen. 

“We are unpleasantly surprised by the failure of AstraZeneka to deliver vaccines to Bulgaria in line with the initial agreement”, said this country’s Minister of Health Professor Kostadin Angelov. 117,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Bulgaria on February 22, which was 33,000 less than agreed. Moreover, AstraZeneca is not going to deliver 142,000 doses until the end of February, as previously negotiated, added Minister Angelov. On March 1, Bulgaria may receive 52,800 doses, instead of the promised 142,000 doses. Extremely serious talks are being held with the vaccine manufacturer at all levels, said Kostadin Angelov. “Dear representatives of AstraZeneca! We do not need your politeness and courtesy. We only need vaccines”, Minister Angelov said in an address to the company.

It also became clear at the briefing that the vaccination centers will temporary suspend inoculation during the so-called “green corridors”. When Bulgaria receives new deliveries of Covid-19 vaccines, half of the new quantities will be given to the general practitioners. Currently, Bulgaria has nearly 80,000 vaccines from the three vaccine manufacturers approved by the EU.

Bulgaria ranks 22 in the EU in terms of morbidity with 156 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people. This country is 14^th in the EU in terms of mortality, with 8.27 fatalities per 100,000 people, announced Chief State Health Inspector Associate Professor Angel Kunchev. Currently 19 Bulgarian districts are in the Covid-19 red zone. Highest incidence was reported in Kyustendil district- 446 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people. We have witnessed a slight increase in the number of coronavirus infections, while death cases appear to plateau, Dr. Kunchev went on to say.

The number of new cases of Covid-19 has increased by 26% in the past week. The number of Covid-19 fatalities decreased by 7%, announced the Chairman of the National Operational Headquarters General Ventsislav Mutafchiyski. Hospital bed occupancy fluctuates in different Bulgarian regions, Professor Mutafchiyski noted. 47% of the hospital beds for patients with moderate of symptoms of Covid-19 and 51% of the ICU beds are occupied. All Covid-19 beds in the Military Medical Academy, Pirogov Emergency Hospital and St. Anna hospital are completely full.

Compiled by: Diana Tsankova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov