site.btaBulgaria's Chief Health Inspector Proposes Extending Epidemic Emergency after New Spike in COVID-19 Cases

June 9 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Chief Health Inspector Dr Angel Kounchev told reporters in Plovdiv Tuesday that he would propose extending the epidemic emergency until the end of June or mid-July after a new spike in COVID-19 cases.

The actual decision to extend the emergency will be made by the government, possibly at a weekly government meeting on June 10.

There were 83 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases Tuesday out of 1,406 samples tested over the past 24 hours, according to the National Information System.

The new cases added up to 2,810 confirmed cases in Bulgaria, including 1,059 active cases. A total of 1,587 people have recovered, including 39 new recoveries. 152 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized and 15 are in intensive care.

There are 297 registered cases of infected medical staff, including 3 new cases in Sofia since Monday.

Four people have died due to the coronavirus in Bulgaria since Monday, bringing the death toll to 164.

Dr Kounchev said that the spike in the coronavirus incidence is not a second wave because the new cases are in clusters.

He argued that extending the epidemic emergency is needed to allow the authorities to set in place tighter border controls and other restrictions.

The Chief Health Inspector will also propose extending the period during which 15-day mandatory self-isolation will be required of people coming to Bulgaria from some countries, including North Macedonia and Bosnia and Hercegovina. LN/MT
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