site.btaNumber of COVID-19 Cases in Bulgaria Reaches 185

March 22 (BTA) - The number of COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria has reached 185, national coronavirus task force chief Maj. Gen. Ventsislav Moutafchiiski said at his regular briefing on Sunday.

Three recoveries from COVID-19 in the country were confirmed on Saturday. To be considered recovered, a person needs to test negative for the coronavirus twice in a row, Moutafchiiski specified. The three persons will be given a 30-day sick leave and a recommendation to stay at home.

A total of 30 coronavirus patients were in hospital by Sunday afternoon, Moutafchiiski said. He declined to predict the number of hospitalized patients when the infection peaks.

Although older people are believed to be more vulnerable to the disease, young people contract it as well, the expert noted. They suffer less, but they can spread it around. Since the disease cannot be proven in people who have not developed the symptoms or were not exposed to it until very recently, it is best to quarantine the contacts.

A possible extension of the state of emergency depends on the dynamics of the situation, Moutafchiiski said. He does not expect the crisis to be contained by the middle of April. Mathematical analyses show that Bulgaria is still at the bottom of the climb to the peak level. The peak can be expected two to three weeks from now, he said. RI/VE
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