5 districts in Bulgaria re-designated as Covid-19 red zones

In just one week, the number of people infected in the Bulgarian districts of Pazardzhik, Sliven, Bourgas, Haskovo and Sofia has risen again to more than 120 infected per 100,000 people. In the capital, there is a gradual increase in hospital admissions, Bulgaria’s Health Minister, Kostadin Angelov, said on February 3.

There is an increase in the positive test results and there are suspicions that they might be for the new more contagious UK variant of the virus. However, the Minister of Health stated that tightening of the anti-epidemic measures is not envisaged at this stage.

In two hospitals in Sofia, between 30% and 50% of yesterday's positive test results are suspected to be for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2.

"What is worrying is the easier transmission of this new strain. And then the morbidity curves can change their course, accelerate the rise," the health minister said.

Bulgaria is able to analyse up to 5% of the positive test results per day for the new variants.

"This analysis takes time and it does not depend on the speed of the examination," Angelov said.

Over the past two weeks, 33 people infected with the British variant of the virus have been registered in Bulgaria. Last week in Sofia, there has been an increase in the number of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

The Minister of Health explained that he monitors the situation in Sofia around the clock.

"When we consider that there is a clear trend that requires measures, be sure that you will be the first to understand about them," Angelov said.

Pirogov emergency hospital, where most of those infected with the British variant of the coronavirus are admitted for treatment, explained that they have not noticed any complications among the infected so far.