New cases of coronavirus on Saturday surged to an all-time record high of 1,284 after authorities carried out the largest number ever tests ever in a single day.
The Strategic Communication Group said more 34,000 tests had been carried out. That means 3.76% of people tested came up positive, the lowest percentage since July 15.
The increased number of tests comes as thousands of people ask to be tested ahead of summer vacations to places like Greece and Austria which require Romanians to present a negative Covid-19 test upon entry.
The total of infections rose to 43,678, as Romania surpassed Poland as the worst-hit country in the region. Ukraine which is northeast of Romania has more cases.
There were 15 Covid-19 associated fatalities in the past day, taking the death toll to 2.165. Fourteen of the 15 patients had underlying health conditions.
There are 315 patients being treated in intensive care units, th highest number of patients ever in ICU since the outbreak began in February. A total of 6,292 patients are receiving hospital treatment.
Most of the new cases were reported in the capital Bucharest which saw 118 news cases, followed by Arges, a virus hotspot which had 108.
The western county of Mehedinti had 82 new cases, an 18% increase in total cases in a single day. Most cases came after an outbreak at a plant in Mehedinti that manufactures railway carriages which was closed on July 17 when the first cases appeared.
Every county reported at least one new infection, with just three cases in the Danube county of Tulcea in Romania’s southeast.
