Bulgaria’s PM held a meeting with the coronavirus task force

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on June 30 convened a working meeting of the National Coronavirus Task Force and the Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev.

The meeting discussed the current situation with the spread of COVID-19, as well as strengthening the capacity of hospitals with intensive care beds, so that they are ready if necessary.

Borissov ordered Minister Ananiev to hold additional talks with the National Health Insurance Fund and the Bulgarian Medical Union on the payment of tests and the COVID-19 clinical paths so that hospitals have sufficient funding.

"Stock up on protective clothing, masks, goggles. Everything should be enough and sufficient," Borissov insisted.

The coronavirus tests should be covered by the national health insurance fund. And the price of the clinical path should be increased, if necessary, he said.

The prime minister noted that there are millions infected in the world, and the European Union continues to lack a unified policy, including on the opening of borders for tourism.

"There is no expert to say when this scourge of modernity will pass," the PM said.

In this situation, according to Borissov, it is especially important to monitor the morbidity in the clusters and to continue the control over the measures.

The Head of the National Task Force, Major-General, Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, also agreed that it is important to strengthen the capacity of hospitals.

Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev pointed out that the wave of the virus is growing in Europe and the Balkans, emphasizing that efforts in Bulgaria are aimed at anti-epidemic measures.

The Director of the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Todor Kantardzhiev reminded that the capacity of the laboratories has been significantly increased compared to the beginning of the epidemic. According to him, it is necessary to carefully monitor the first cases of infection in large groups.

The representatives of the National Task Force were categoric that the spread of COVID-19 also starts from festive and religious celebrations and parties.

The number of coronavirus-infected people in need of hospital treatment is growing, the health minister said.

Kiril Ananiev, Minister of Health: We need to strengthen the capacity of the hospitals so that they can take a possible wave of significant increase in the number of Covid-19 patients.”

General - Major. Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, Head of the National Coronavirus Task Force: This is the only key to solving current problems, given that there is no will and desire among the population to impose tougher measures.

Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, Chief State Health Inspector: The main directions of our activity are to keep the infection under control, to make the hospitals ready for response and not leave anyone without treatment. They remain in force.

The Prime Minister also ordered the national health insurance fund to pay for the Covid-19 tests and increase the price for the clinical paths for the treatment of the disease, so that the hospitals have enough funding. “Stock up on protective clothing, stock up on masks," Borissov said.

According to the Prime Minister, additional funding is needed to monitor the condition of patients. He added that tighter controls on compliance with anti-epidemic measures would continue.

Boyko Borissov, PM: The clusters of those who travel in buses, in very narrow spaces...This is the main risk and in indoor spaces.

The head of the task force, Prof. Mutafchiyski said that after parties with many people at least 7-8 get infected which shows that self-discipline and keeping physical distance are important factors.

Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev, the director of the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic diseases said that the three groups of people is very important to protect: the elderly; people with chronic diseases and people with blood and cancer diseases.