Twenty one new cases of COVID-19 in Bulgaria, bringing the total to 163

There are 21 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Bulgaria for the day so far. The total number reaches 163 for the country, the head of the national task force, Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski said on March 21 at the daily 5 pm briefing from the Military Medical Academy.

Out of the total 163, 3 people have died and 3 recovered.

The new cases in Sofia are 18, the total for the city reaching 103. There are two new cases in Bourgas. They were in contact with the first patient registered there. Thus the total cases in Bourgas are 4.

There is one confirmed case in the town of Peshtera.

The average age of the individuals who died was 75, he added.

"In Bulgaria, there are 8 people at the age between 20 and 50 who are severely symptomatic. No one has ever claimed that this virus does not affect young people. The death rate is lower," he said.

"So far we are still at the bottom of the curve, but since yesterday there are signs it is steeping," he added.

Government measures are trying to flatter the curve.