Romania reported more 2,000 new coronavirus cases for a second day running with five places posting more than 100 fresh infections.
Of the total 2,083 cases, the capital Bucharest had 301, more than anywhere else, as usual, and less than the previous say when there were a record 405 infections,
The northeast county of Iasi which has seen a spike in recent weeks reported 133 new cases on Thursday, while Constanta county which borders the Black Sea added 122 cases. Bacau, in eastern Romania had 104 cases, as did the northwest Cluj county.
Romania reopened schools on Sept. 14 and the rise in cases is likely connected to this. On Wednesday, there was an all-time record of 2,158 cases.
Authorities fear cases may rise again after municipal elections held this weekend.
Prof. Alexandru Rafila, Romania’s representative at the World Health Organization, said Wednesday that Romania was experiencing a second wave and was “at a point of widespread community transmission” following a spike in cases in recent days.
Thirty-seven patients, 28 men and 9 women with Covid-19 died in the past 24 hours. They all had underlying health conditions. The youngest fatality was a person in their 40s.
The number of patients in intensive care units shot up to 557, equaling the record on 28 September. There are 7,617 patients being treated in hospital.
The Strategic Communication Group said 25, 797 tests were carried out, of which 8.09% had positive outcomes, which is high but slightly lower than Wednesday.
