site.bta1,506 Cases of COVID-19 Confirmed in Bulgaria

April 30 (BTA) - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases
in Bulgaria reached 1,506, including 18 new cases added on
Thursday, the Health Ministry reported late on Thursday
afternoon, citing data from the National Coronavirus Task Force
(NCTF).

A total of 164 medical staff in the country have been confirmed
to have COVID-19. The total number of deaths is 66.

At the morning briefing of the NCTF, its chief, Prof. Ventsislav
 Moutafchiiski, said patients recovered from the coronavirus
infection have volunteered to donate blood for passive antibody
therapy at the Military Medical Academy. A patient was given a
fresh plasma transfusion on Wednesday and his temperature was
back to normal on Thursday morning. This is the first such case
and it is still early to draw conclusions about the long-term
effects.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Kiril Ananiev visited the
northwestern town of Vidin where 38 out of 360 health workers at
 the local hospital have tested positive for COVID-19. This is a
 sign of a serious staff shortage, so there is a plan for staff
relocation to the neurology and cardiology departments. The
Health Ministry has made a call for staff willing to relocate
from other parts of the country.

Regarding the availability of personal protective equipment, 
Chief Health Inspector Angel Kounchev said that while there is a
  considerable amount of protective clothing and disinfectants,
 Sofia's emergency medical service centre alone uses about 100
to 150 suits in 24 hours. RI/RY/DD/VE

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