Caretaker health minister: Additional anti-epidemic restrictions are necessary

The situation is very serious, very tense. The growing number of new Covid-19 cases and the filling of intensive care beds necessitates the introduction of additional restrictive measures, the caretaker Minister of Health Dr. Stoycho Katsarov.told BNT on October 18.

He explained that this afternoon he has scheduled meetings with the expert council at the Ministry of Health, with directors of hospitals and Regional Health Inspectorates and additional measures will be specified by the end of the day or tomorrow at the latest.

The experts will say what the measures will be, the minister said.

He added that at this stage curfews and total lockdown are not necessary.

Dr. Katsarov also commented on the dissatisfaction of the private language and dance schools and the bankruptcies expected by them, if a possible new closure takes place.

The situation is extremely serious and this requires the efforts of all people - and the tourism industry, and those in the field of education, all members of the public. We try to make the measures we apply as gentle as possible for everyone. We are neither late nor in a hurry with the measures, the Minister noted. .

On the issue with the Covid centres in the country, the Minister said:

This is one of the best things we have done. For the first time, the NHIF pays for the treatment of patients with acute diseases. Covid zones do not replace the health care system.

According to Katsarov, there are approximately 100 Covid zones that have a contract with the NHIF and each of them can prescribe drugs.

Regarding the pressure on hospitals due to the increase in the incidence of Covid-19, the caretaker minister said that not all hospitals accept patients with Covid-19, but their number is increasing.

We do our best not to ban the planned non-emergency admissions, as Covid-19 is not the only disease. The ban on planned surgical operations would be a last resort, it must be imposed at the last possible moment. At this stage, I think it is not necessary..

According to the Minister of Health, the capacity of Sofia hospitals has not been exhausted, there is a problem with coordination.

There are no more vacant Covid beds in Pirogov emergency hospital in Sofia.

Admission to a hospital is not a solution in itself, Dr. Katsarov believes. He cites statistics showing that one in seven people admitted to hospital has died.

This is a serious disease, it should not be underestimated. For now, the only way to protect ourselves from it is vaccination, Dr. Katsarov was adamant.

He explained that about BGN 1,400 is the clinical path for treatment of Covid-19 patients.

This price is determined by the National Health Insurance Fund and the Bulgarian Medical Association, this is an average price, in some cases the costs are higher, in others they are less, the caretaker minister added.

Hospitals receive additional funding every month. I think that the financial system is quite well secured at the moment, Dr. Katsarov is convinced.

He clarified that at this stage there is no proposal to introduce a green certificate in schools.

Today, the extended council for epidemiology will consider these issues, but there is no such proposal especially for children, the minister said.

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