The total number of COVID-19 patients in Bulgaria is 243. A new case is confirmed in the city of Sofia. The contagious person is currently hospitalized in an infectious ward in the capital. The information was announced by Major-General Mutafchiyski during the regular emergency briefing of the National Operations Headquarters.
4 patients of “Pirogov” hospital had to be intubated. One is in critical condition and has been placed under continuous monitoring. There are seven more COVID-19 patients in the hospital and all of them are currently stable.
Two patients of the Military Medical Academy in Sofia are on the verge of respiratory failure and are placed under continuous monitoring as well. According to Mutafchiyski there are 8 patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and want to leave the hospital. They may still be contagious and cannot be dismissed without further testing.
“The first patients with COVID-19 from Gabrovo and Pleven are feeling well but still have traces of the virus in their body. There are about 7-8 patients who have recovered but are still contagious. We are planning to come up with guidelines for the recovery process of healthy patients who are carriers of the disease. It would cover everything from the treatment period to all needed precautions for the safe dismissal of the patients.“
„We are preparing for times when we would not be able to afford healthy patients to be treated in hospitals while sick people are dying without medical care. That is why we are planning ahead and I have complete trust in our medical experts.”
The National Operations Headquarters suggested the containment measures to be extended until 12 April for the same period of time. The experts also suggest the 14-day quarantine to be for all travelers entering the country.
According to Mutafchiyski one of the most efficient ways to counteract the virus is not give it an opportunity to spread through physical contact.
“Everybody experiencing any of the symptoms or have been in contact with COVID-19 patients needs to be promptly examined. We are mobilizing more doctors and are taking measures to protect them, as well as the patients. The medical staff would be treated along with their patients in worst-case scenario.”
Translation: Ivaylo Yotov
