Bulgaria’s Plovdiv extends closing of schools because of Type B flu
The “flu vacation” in the district of Plovdiv has been extended by two days, with school pupils now due to return to classes on March 16.
A declaration by Bulgaria’s Health Ministry of a nationwide influenza epidemic closed all schools in the country from March 6 to 11 inclusive because of a sharp increase in Type B flu.
The declaration was issued before the announcement on March 8 of four confirmed cases of Covid-19 new coronavirus in Bulgaria, in the towns of Gabrovo and Pleven.
The decision by the regional crisis staff in Plovdiv to extend the closing of schools was made because children, especially those between the ages of five and 15, are particularly susceptible to Type B flu.
The
crisis staff in Plovdiv met on March 9 and discussed measures to
respond to cases of new coronavirus, including an assessment of the
number of beds available in infectious diseases wards in hospitals
and the availability of protective clothing.
At national
level, no decision has yet been made on extending the closing of
schools beyond March 11. However, on the morning of March 9, national
crisis staff chief Major-General Ventsislav Mutafchiyski hinted that
extending the closing of schools was not probable, given that the
principal risk group regarding new coronavirus is the over-60s. It is
more likely that schools will be ordered to step up hygiene and
disinfection measures.