Bulgaria registers 79 new cases of coronavirus infection

79 new cases of coronavirus infections were confirmed in Bulgaria for the past 24 hours, out of 1777 tests. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Bulgaria rose to 2889, 1099 of which are active. 167 people with the infection have died, while 1623 have recovered.

Two new hot spots have been declared as well – in Nova Zagora and the town of Izgrev, near Shoumen. Over the past several days, Bulgaria saw a rapid rise of coronavirus infections, just as it had almost lifted most restrictions against the spread of COVID-19.

More than half of the new cases over the past weekend and yesterday were from a cluster in Dospat and the nearby town of Sarnitsa. The infected – mostly women – work at a toy factory in Dospat. Reports emerged that the workers likely hid their symptoms out of fear of losing their jobs.

Following the spike in cases yesterday, the National Health Inspector Dr. Angel Kunchev said he would recommend to the Cabinet an extension to the epidemic state of emergency, which was due to end June 14. The Council of Ministers decided today to grant the request and extend the state of epidemic emergency till the end of the month.

“If it comes to it, we will expand it again,” PM Boyko Borissov said.

Still, the restrictions, which the government said would be lifted on June 15 will be revoked as planned. Theaters and cinemas will be able to work from June 15, at no more than 50% capacity. Masks will remain mandatory in the public transport system, but not in other closed public spaces.

Foreign tourists will also be allowed to enter the country from June 15 as well.

Border restrictions remain on people entering from non-EU countries, except for Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The head of the National Center for Infectious Diseases Dr. Todor Kantardzhiev took a reassuring tone, but highlighted that while people should not panic, they should definitely “abide by the three D’s: discipline, disinfection and distance.” He went on to stress he is very troubled by seeing large groups of people not keeping distance and in tight spaces.