Romania reported 2,226 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the highest figure since late April and a more than 7% increase on the previous day.
A total of 39 patients with the virus died in the past 24 hours, the Strategic Communication Group said. Forty other deaths that hadn’t been reported previously were added to the death toll on Thursday.
The number of seriously ill patients requiring intensive care climbed to 523, the highest figure for a single day.
On Thursday, hospitals were treating just under 4,000 inpatients with Covid-19, including 99 children.
Covid-19 cases have escalated in recent weeks with the spread of the contagious delta variant. State schools reopen on Monday and authorities are concerned about another spike in cases.
The National Committee for Emergency Situations on Thursday proposed extending the current state of alert for a further 30 days in response to the latest wave of cases.
Under the guidelines, some public gatherings will be restricted and others will be open only to people who have been vaccinated. There will be Covid-19 testing for health and education staff. Masks will remain compulsory in indoor public places. The government needs to sign off on the proposals.
Bucharest continues to be the hardest hit by Covid-19 cases. On Thursday, 345 new cases were reported.
Five other counties had at least 100 new cases. Timis in southwest Romania and Cluj had the most fresh infections after the capital.
