Bulgaria is entering the most critical phase of the fourth Covid-19 wave.

The district of Pernik has also been classified as Covid-19 dark red zone. This means that there are more than 500 infected people per 100,000 population. According to our BNT team’s calculations, 20 districts of all 28 in the country are in the red zone, but 7 of them may soon cross the threshold of 500 infected per 100,000 and become dark red zones.

The new cases over the past day are more than 2,800. Daily positivity rate of the tests is at more than 13%. 178 people died of Covid-19. Among them is a 12-year-old child. Thus, the victims of coronavirus in Bulgaria since the beginning of the epidemic are more than 21.200.

According to calculations of our BNT team, for the first time since the beginning of the epidemic, 300 infected children were registered per day. Health authorities say there is no cause for concern. the caretaker minister of health said that if the number of infected and hospitalized people continues to rise, there may be a new tightening of measures.

GPs also report an increase in the number of children with flu-like symptoms in the past week. In many cases, however, parents do have their children tested for Covid-19, according to observations of the GPs. However, data on a 14-day basis show that the 0-19 age group is among the least affected by the disease. According to health authorities, the peak of the fourth wave is expected during October.

In the past week, the number of children with flu-like symptoms examined by Dr. Gocheva has increased.

"A large number test positive. Unfortunately, a large number of the parents refuse to take tests," says Dr. Zaharinka Gocheva.

Without a test, doctors can hardly tell Covid from another viral infection.

"In this wave, children are much more affected. There are many more infected young people," she said.

According to Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, Chief State Health Inspector, the course is not so difficult.

There are 34 Covid beds for children in Sofia. There are 16 people employed as of yesterday. In the intensive care unit of "Pirogov" emergency hospital, 1 child is being treated from Covid-19 infection.

According to the director of "Pirogov" hospital, it has underlying health conditions and was transported from Vidin.

"There are enough hospital beds in the country for children. At the beginning of the epidemic there were more children infected with Covid-19. Now things have returned to normal. The large number of infected and hospitalized is among the elderly," said caretaker Minister of Health. Stoycho Katsarov.

The pressure on the hospitals is increasing, but the situation is under control, Katsarov assured.