Romania: more than 20% of Covid-19 tests come back positive in past day

Foto: INQUAM/Liviu Chirica

More than one-fifth of people tested for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours have been diagnosed with the virus, authorities said.

Single-day coronavirus cases dropped to 2,069 on Monday after five consecutive days of around 3,000 cases.

But only 10,051 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours, less than half the usual number of tests. The testing rate decreases over the weekend. Some 20.59% tested positive

The single-day death count rose to 56_ 37 men and 19 women succumbed to the virus. One patient who died was in their 20s, another was in their 40s, eight were in their 50s, 18 in their 60s and 28 were older than 70.

They all had underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease.

The number of patients in intensive care therapy is 628, the same as Sunday. The number of hospitalized patients rose to 9,365 on Monday amid concerns of overcrowding.

Health Minister Nelu Tataru said SARS-CoV-2 patients with no symptoms would be able to self-isolate at home under medical supervision to stop overcrowding in hospitals.

Bucharest had 413 cases, far more than anywhere else. The capital has 2.6 people infected to 1,000 inhabitants and authorities are considering introducing new restrictions such as limiting private events and making masks mandatory outside.

Religious pilgrimages and processions in Bucharest and Iasi, which saw 164 new cases on Monday have been banned after cases spiked.

The Prahova county, a region of many tourist hotspots added 110 new cases on Monday.

In the last fortnight, Romania has seen daily infections spike to their highest-ever levels, sparking increasing concern even as authorities continue to resist a total lockdown.

There are currently about 14,500 patients with Covid-19 in self-isolation and 8,900 in institutionalized isolation.

LĂSAȚI UN MESAJ

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here