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Romania exceeds 100 confirmed coronavirus cases; enters scenario no 3
Romania has exceeded the number of 100 coronavirus confirmed cases. With the finding and confirmation of the 101st case of coronavirus, Romania enters scenario no 3 of combating the COVID-19 virus.
A number of 16 more Romanians tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection, thus the number of COVID-19 patients on Romania's territory having reached 139, most in Bucharest, the Strategic Communication Group informs.
On Romania's territory, in a number of 2,855 persons are institutionalised quarantine, in the case of whom checks are on the way to detect if they were infected with the novel coronavirus. Other 14,640 persons are isolated at home, under medical monitoring.
Until this date, a number of 3,205 testes were performed. Out of these 3,066 tested negative, namely the persons from whom samples were harvested are not infected with coronavirus. The tests were done in 6 sanitary units in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Craiova and Constanta.
Until 15 March, a number of 39,768 cases were reported in the EU / the European Economic Area, the UK, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, Andorra. Most cases were registered in Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the UK.
According to the Interior Ministry (MAI), in the initial estimation, entering scenario no 3 entailed "the broad and constant transmission, with an increase in the pressure on the healthcare system (101-2,000 cases)."
The third scenario is in place when the number of infections exceeded 100, from 101 up to 2,000 (a spread on large scale) and implies tougher measures and restrictions, as the pressure on the healthcare system is increasing.
Therefore, in this stage, the capacity of response to coronavirus is rising and a triage is starting in every hospital: cases of coronavirus will be prioritised and all other cases that are not emergencies will be delayed or relocated to other hospitals. All infectious disease hospitals will treat only patients infected with COVID-19. Spaces for treatment will be expanded and more doctors will be called on duty.
There will be new tightened restrictions on circulation and new spaces for quarantine are being identified. It’s possible now authorities will impose home quarantine under special security.
Very important, now it’s the stage when public gatherings involving more than 50 people are restricted.
“Cultural, scientific, artistic, religious, sports and entertainment activities that involve the participation of over 50 people in enclosed spaces are restricted, including those in spa treatment centres, fitness rooms, SPA and beauty salons, gambling halls and casinos”, informs the National Committee for Emergency Situations.
However, the MAI pointed out on Saturday that part of the measures provided for scenario no 3 have already been adopted and at the moment the authorities don't have the confirmation that there is a "broad and constant transmission" of the novel coronavirus.
"The typology of the cases up to now show a traceability of the contacts of the persons who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In this respect, the teams of the Public Health Directorates are conducing epidemiological investigations to identify all the contacts of the persons who tested positive. At the same time, we mention that, compared to the initial estimation, so far there haven't been registered any deaths as a result of the infection with the novel coronavirus," the MAI underscored in a post on Facebook.
According to the MAI, the already adopted measures, which are part of scenario no 3, before effectively entering scenario no 3, are: social distancing, limiting contact among persons, limiting collective activities, enforcing the plan of preparation for pandemic, reporting travels (for instance: the simplified travel record) and implementing advanced medical points within healthcare units.
The National Committee for Special Emergency Situations (CNSSU) will analyse again the plan of measures, in the sense of harshening some already taken measures and/or adding to these other types of measures necessary for combating the spread of the COVID-19, the MAI points out.