site.bta8,738 PCR Tests Confirm 1,472 New COVID-19 Cases, Bringing Bulgaria's Total to 33,335

October 22 (BTA) - A total of 1,472 COVID-19 infections were confirmed in past 24 hours through 8,738 PCR tests, according to data posted on www.coronavirus.bg on Thursday. This puts the share of positive test results at 16.8 per cent.

Out of a total of 33,335 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 14,689 are active.

In the past 24 hours, 29 people have died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,048.

The highest number of infections are in Sofia-city (483) and in Plovdiv (147).

There are 1,727 total COVID-19 cases among medical staff.

A total of 1,732 patients are hospitalized, 107 of which are in intensive care units.

Recoveries in the last 24 hours number 184, bringing the total to 17,598.

A new order from the Health Minister that requires people to wear masks in outdoor public places came into force on Thursday. The measure will be active until November 30, 2020, the press centre of the Health Ministry said. The anti-epidemic measure requires wearing a mask or other means covering the nose and mouth in open public places in case of crowding and impossibility to observe a physical distance of 1.5 m.

Masks are not mandatory for by customers in restaurants and drinking establishments, as well as outdoor and indoor athletes. The order does not apply to participants in congresses and conference events during their speeches, as well as to the hosts and guests in TV shows. Children up to the age of 6 may also not wear a PPE.

Later on Thursday, during the regular weekly briefing, Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov said that Bulgaria is entering a very serious phase of the epidemic. The biggest problem is related to the medics on the first line, they are tired, infected, under quarantine, some are in intensive care, the Minister said. The healthcare system will seek support from general practitioners and medical students.

Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev said that the growth curve is very sharp, and that the goal is to try to contain morbidity in the next few weeks, but noted that both Bulgaria and Europe are far from reaching this goal.

Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, Director of the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, suggested that in addition to other standard anti-epidemic measures (distance, disinfection and discipline), people should add a regular vitamin D intake due to lack of sunshine. RI/DT


/DT/