Romania reported more than 300 cases for the fifth day in a row, despite a drop in testing, raising fears that the virus is spreading after authorities relaxed the lockdown.
The Strategic Communication Group said Sunday that 315 new cases had been confirmed in the last 24 hours, following 6,333 tests. That gave an infection rate of almost 5%, the highest in five weeks.
Twelve patients succumbed to the virus in the last day bringing the death count to 1,512.
Romania has more than 24,000 cumulative cases of the virus since the pandemic began. Almost 17,000 people have recovered from the disease.
There are currently 195 patients being treated for their symptoms in intensive care, reflecting a steady increase in recent days.
The failure to keep the spread of the virus which under control is a concern for public health and Romania’s overstretched health system, the government and medical experts say.
Romania imposed a two-month state of emergency in mid-March and on May 15 began to relax the strict lockdown. It further eased restrictions on June 1 and since Monday, shopping malls have reopened.
Thousands flocked to shopping centers during the weekend and traffic was like a regular weekend. It is compulsory to wear mask in enclosed public spaces and in public transport and to maintain physical distancing, but compliance has been patchy.
Romania remains one of the worst-hit countries in the region by the pandemic.
There are 1,309 people in institutionalized quarantine and 77,000 in isolation at home under medical supervision.
