New Covid-19 wave in Bulgaria is likely to peak within three weeks

Bulgaria is on the brink of a new Covid-19 wave. The number of infected people in the country is steadily increasing. The highest number of cases is reportd in Sofia, Varna and Gabrovo. The capital city is even about to enter the yellow zone again with more than 100 infected per 100 000 people.

For almost two months, Dr. Hristov from Varna has not had a single patient infected with COVID-19.

"In the past week, I have 7 cases, confirmed with tests. We definitely have an increase in the number of cases," said Dr. Nikolai Hristov, a general practitioner.

The infection curve will continue to rise. And experts attribute the increased incidence to the characteristics of the virus and the lack of anti-epidemic measures.

"The virus, which is becoming more easily transmitted but less severe, and the concentration of many people in certain places during the summer season, the very close contacts in the absence of any anti-epidemic measures," added Assoc..Prof. Angel Kunchev, Chief State Health Inspector.

Measures could be in place if the number of hospital admissions reaches figures set in the National Pandemic Plan.

"Even with les severe disease, in case of mass spread, there will be a need for measures," added Assoc. Angel Kunchev, chief state health inspector.

Kunchev is convinced that there are coronavirus infected who remain outside the official statistics.

"There are people who do not have severe symptoms and don't seek medical help," said Assoc. Angel Kunchev.

Since the end of the epidemic emergency, GPs cannot issue referrals for PCR tests for coronavirus, and antigen tests are not free-of-charge for patients.

"There is definitely a drop, but people come and pay for their tests and they don't have much choice," said Dr Svetlana Kyoseva, a virologist at a medical laboratory.

As of today, a fourth dose of coronavirus vaccine is allowed in the country. It is recommended for people at age of 18 and older, if at least 4 months have passed since their first booster dose.

Around 9 o'clock we had a patient, who wanted to be given a fourth dose. We had several men between 50 and 60 years old. These are people who are probably about to travel and that is why they are doing it," added Dr Svetlana Kyoseva.

After a lull, Dr. Christov's patients began to take an interest in the coronavirus vaccines as well.

"It was like in “clinical death”, literally. Vaccinations had stopped. From this week, we started to be more active," said Dr Nikolai Hristov, a general practitioner.

The health ministry plans to electronically register all compulsory immunisations in addition to the Covid vaccines. And from August 1, referrals for hospital admissions will be issued only electronically.

"The patient will not need to carry the paper referral and can go to any medical institution they want, the medical examination reports will be in electronic format," said Assoc. Vasil Pandov, head of the health minister's office.

In half a year, the health ministry has managed to catch up with the digitalization in the sector delayed by the caretaker governments, the outgoing minister said.

"This is one of the tools that will bring healthcare to the light. And all of us as patients have a stake in making this happen," Prof. Assena Serbezova, outgoing Minister of Health said.

Health authorities assure that hospitals and doctors will have enough time to test the referral for hospitalisation.