A roundup of domestic and international news
COVID-19 IN ROMANIA - The evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic maintains its downward trend in Romania. The number of new cases of infection, as well as of patients in serious condition, has been dropping. 392 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in 24 hours, according to data announced on Monday. There are now nearly 5,000 patients in hospitals, of whom 753 in intensive care. The number of Covid-19 related deaths has also dropped to 48. At this time the infection rate is below 1.5 per thousand inhabitants everywhere in the country. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 1,072,000 people have become infected with SARS-Cov2, but 95% have been cured. Nearly 30,000 people have lost the battle with the virus. Meanwhile, the vaccination campaign continues. Over 6.8 million doses of anti-COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far, and some 2.8 million Romanians have taken both shots.
REPORT - Health Minister Ioana Mihăilă on Monday presented before the Chamber of Deputies, at the request of the Social-Democratic Party in opposition, the report on the situation of COVID-19-related deaths. The Social Democrats' request came after Parliament rejected, last week, its request for the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the reporting made during the pandemic. The Health Minister admitted there are differences between the data from the two platforms where the COVID-19-related deaths are registered. More specifically, the number of COVID-related fatalities reported on alert.ms.ro is higher than that reported by the National Statistics Institute. Minister Mihăilă told Parliament she has asked for clarifications that are bound to improve the way fatalities are reported. The Social-Democratic Party criticized the "cynical tone the Minister uses to refer to COVID victims as if they were merely stock".
COVID-19 IN THE WORLD -Italy on Monday entered a new phase of relaxation of anti-COVID restrictions, and the authorities want to discuss new measures in this regard, which would enter into force on May 24. According to Radio Romania's correspondent in Rome, almost all of Italy became a yellow zone on Monday, with fewer anti-coronavirus restrictions. The rate of infection is decreasing by the day. Although they were reluctant at first, now more and more Italians want to be vaccinated even with AstraZeneca, a vaccine especially requested in the northern regions of the country. The most important relaxation measures this year also came into force in England on Monday, and the restrictions will be completely lifted in the second half of June. On the other hand, the authorities are worried about the more contagious Indian strain, and say that in the future it will become predominant. Restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes all are allowed to function indoors. Theaters, performance halls, art galleries, swimming pools and indoor playgrounds will also be reopened. It is the third wave of relaxation and the most important this year, which takes place in the context of the success of the vaccination campaign. At present, the number of Covid-19 related deaths is close to zero across the UK.
UNESCO - On Monday, a series of events kicked off in Bucharest celebrating 65 years since Romania joined UNESCO. The event will be marked through a series of conferences, exhibitions and concerts, including the 11th edition of the International Conducting Competition "Jeunesses Musicales Bucharest", one of the most important conducting contests in the world, held over May 10 - December 10. Romania joined UNESCO on July 27, 1956. Education, culture, natural sciences, human sciences as well as information and communication are the main sectors UNESCO operates in.
EUROVISION -Romania is represented in this year's edition of the Eurovision contest, hosted by the Netherlands, by Roxen with the song 'Amnesia'. Roxen will be the 13th artist to sing in Rotterdam in the first semifinal on May 18th. The second semifinal will take place on Thursday, May 20th. Romania's best performances in this competition have been twice the third place (Luminiţa Anghel & Sistem - Kiev, 2005; Paula Seling and Ovi - Oslo, 2010) and once the fourth place (Mihai Trăistariu - Athens, 2006). The Rotterdam edition takes place live, with a small number of spectators. All participants in the show and rehearsals must follow strict coronavirus rules, including testing. A maximum of 3,500 people will be allowed to be part of the audience. The 65th edition of the contest will take place under the slogan 'Open Up'. (MI & VP)
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