March 30, 2020 UPDATE

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Newsroom, 30.03.2020, 20:35

Covid-19 Romania — President Klaus Iohannis on Monday reiterated his appeal to the Romanian citizens to observe the measures taken by the authorities to combat the new coronavirus pandemic. The latest toll in Romania shows 1952 cases of infection, according to the Strategic Communication Group. Tens of Romanians have died so far across the country and abroad following complications caused by the COVID-19 virus. Official data also shows that 209 patients have recovered. The health minister Nelu Tataru said he expected the pandemic in Romania to peak in mid April when the number of cases of infection could reach 10 thousand. The president of the Romanian Microbiology Society Alexandru Rafila estimated in an interview to Radio Romania that the number of coronavirus infections will start to drop in May, after the April peak. He added that, in autumn, a new increase in the number of coronavirus infections will be reported.

Covid -19 world — Over 750 thousand people around the world are infected with the new coronavirus and the number of deaths exceeded 36 thousand. Over 158 thousand people have recovered. 43% of the world population is urged or forced, at present, to stay home. In the US, the country that reported the biggest number of cases, more than 145 thousand, the authorities have extended by one month the recommendation of social distancing. Italy has reported a record number of victims, over 11 thousand. The second European state most affected by the coronavirus pandemic is Spain where the government has halted any non-essential economic activity to contain the spread of the virus. Other European countries severely affected by the pandemic are Germany, France, Great Britain and Switzerland. In another development, since the start of the outbreak, almost 250 thousand people have been repatriated in Europe by charters organized by the member states. Moreover, the EU civil protection mechanism has facilitated the repatriation in Europe of 4,384 citizens from Asia, North America, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Almost 100 flights have been scheduled for the coming days. (update by L. Simion)