Chief state health inspector: If the existing anti-epidemic measures are not observed, we have to introduce stricter ones

The situation in the country is complicated, we see that the measures are not observed. There is an opinion that with these restrictions we influence people's freedoms, Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov noted at the beginning of the regular briefing of the National Operational Headquarters (the task force) on relation to the spread of coronavirus in the country. The briefing, held on November 19 was also attended by the Chief State Health Inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova and hospital directors.

"The situation in the whole country is complicated, the measures do not receive the necessary understanding and support from the members of the public. The opinions that there is no such virus continue to spread," said Prof. Kostadin Angelov.

"We all need to understand that the measures are mandatory and important. If we deprive ourselves of some rights and freedoms now, we will have them in their entirety as soon as possible," the health minister added.

The greatest pressure on the health care system is in Blagoevgrad, Bourgas, Varna, Gabrovo, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Rousse, Targovishte and Shoumen. Of the intensive care beds, the highest percentage of bed occupancy is in Pleven and Razgrad, the minister said.

The latest lab-confirmed cases over the past 24 hours are 3,938 from 9,949 PCR tests. Currently, 5,629 patients with confirmed coronavirus infection are admitted to hospitals. Of these, 313 are in intensive care units, Angelov summarised the data.

The national information system on coronavirus shows that a total of 4,330 medical professionals have tested positive for the virus, including 137 in the past 24 hours: 41 doctors; 44 nurses; 25 healthcare assistants; 4 paramedics and 23 other medical staff.

In Bulgaria, the incidence is already 658 people per 100,000. In terms of morbidity, Bulgaria is in 13th place in the European Union and 2nd in the Balkans. In terms of mortality, the country ranks 3rd in the EU and second in the Balkans, the chief state health inspector, Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, said.

We have to make a decision – to adhere to the existing measures, or move to stricter ones. Otherwise, there will be more infected and more deaths, said Assoc. Prof. Kunchev.

"We are currently in a situation where we have to make a very effective decision - either as a society we are aware of the gravity of the situation and observe the measures as they are, or move towards new, much stricter measures, which are introduced almost all over Europe, in order to manage the situation ", said Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev and pointed out the alternative:" The other option is to have more and more sick people and more and more lives lost. "

Half of the polyclinics in Sofia already have COVID offices, announced the mayor of the capital Yordanka Fandakova. "Nearly 1,600 people have been examined in them for a period of five days. And 1,528 of them have been tested with antigen tests. 453 or 29% are positive. This an opportunity for people who are worried to be examined," she explained.

According to her, the measures in the public places in Sofia are observed. "7 teams check the observance of the measures on a daily basis, but we will focus on the control again, a meeting of the Headquarters in Sofia is forthcoming, in which we will comment on the upcoming holidays. The measures in our city should not be weakened in any way," said the mayor.

The hospitals are already prepared. Most of them were restructured within two weeks. We have provided the necessary beds to absorb the pressure, "said the director of. “Pirogov ” emergency hospital, Prof. Assen Baltov. However, he called on people to adhere to the measures in order to prevent further difficulties for the healthcare system. All those in need will be examined and, if necessary, hospitalized, assured Prof. Baltov.

Minister Kostadin Angelov explained how the decision was made for the seniors-only shopping hours, the so called "green corridors" for shopping for the elderly. He said he was surprised by the negative comments, after the choice of the time zones for the “green corridors” were chosen after talks with representatives of the elderly and representatives of shops.

"In the beginning we saw that the 2 hour time frame which was envisaged for senior shoppers was insufficient and we extended it, we moved it in the afternoon. Now we understand that this brings some kind of disagreement and misunderstanding in the shops. I wonder where we went wrong after imposing a measure that we agreed with everyone. Now again the experts are thinking how to make the measure such so that there is medical expediency ", explained Prof. Angelov.

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