site.btaOutgoing Health Minister Angelov Expects Appreciable Decline in Hospitalizations within Weeks

Sofia, April 16 (BTA) - Outgoing Bulgarian Health Minister
Kostadin Angelov expects an appreciable decline in the number of
 hospitalized COVID-19 patients "within a few weeks".

"We are tackling the third wave, too, which shows that the
measures were timely, complete and productive. Our health system
 stood out despite the substantially increased pressure but,
regrettably, we keep losing lives," Angelov told a news briefing
 at his Ministry on Friday.

The number of occupied beds for both uncomplicated and
complicated coronavirus cases is decreasing.

The infection rate is below 500 per 100,000 population in half
of the country, said the Chief Health State Inspector, Angel
Kounchev. "If this pace is maintained, the third wave will
subside shortly," he pointed out. "The cases in the EU have
edged down, but the morbidity remains high in some countries.
Portugal is the good example, and Sweden is the bad example, as
the infection rate there is manifold higher than the level in
its neighbours," Kounchev added.

A total of 324,090 vaccine doses are expected in Bulgaria in
April, including a very large delivery from Pfizer. Nearly a
million and a half doses will hopefully arrive in May, and over
1.5 million in June, Angelov said. In his words, there are three
 scenarios for achieving collective immunity: late June
(best-case), late July (realistic), and late August
(worst-case).

* * *

That was the outgoing Health Minister's first news briefing
after outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Thursday
disbanded the National Coronavirus Task Force, set up at the
outset of the pandemic in February 2020. The Health Ministry
said that Angelov and Kounchev will nevertheless continue to
keep the public updated about the COVID-19 situation in
Bulgaria.

On Friday, politicians commented on the closure of the Task
Force:

Stanislav Balabanov MP of There Is Such a People: "If the next
cabinet is ours, there will be a new task force of real
professionals. It is illogical for an abdominal surgeon to head
something having to do with a virus [the reference is apparently
 to the National Coronavirus Task Force head, Prof. Ventsislav
Moutafchiiski]. Closing down that Task Force was long overdue.
The task force should have been made up of professionals rather
than of political order-takers."

Dr Alexander Simidchiev MP of Democratic Bulgaria,
pulmonologist: "Every day on which the pandemic is left
unmanaged poses a risk to the population and people's health.
The decision to disband the Task Force is irresponsible because
the Government, outgoing as it is, must continue to function."

Maya Manolova MP of Rise Up! Thugs Out!: "A new body must be set
 up, composed of people with proven expertise in their field and
 bold and prepared to stand up for the decisions to protect
public health rather than walk back whenever Borissov gnashes
his teeth". NV/LG