April 18, 2021 UPDATE

april 18, 2021 update A roundup of domestic and international news

COVID-19 - Another 2,265 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in the last 24 hours in Romania, the Group for Strategic Communication announced on Sunday. During the interval another 160 fatalities were reported, taking the national death toll to 26.232. Over a million people got infected with SARS-CoV-2 since the start of the pandemic last year, 90% of whom have recovered.



VACCINATION - Some 2.6 million people have taken at least one shot of anti-COVID-19 vaccine, of whom over 1.6 million have taken both doses of the vaccine, the authorities in Bucharest have announced. Some 300,000 people working in the medical field have taken the COVID-19 vaccine, 90% of whom have taken both shots. The evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shows a significant drop in the weekly number of cases, from 70/day before the start of the vaccination campaign, to a little under 20/day right now. Authorities say the data is indicative of the importance and necessity of vaccination to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and recall that the administration of one of the serums approved at EU level is free of charge and voluntary. The Romanian Defense Ministry is preparing mobile vaccination centers for immunizing people in rural or remote areas. 20 such centers will become operational starting next week in areas organized by local authorities or in medical containers, which will be provided by the National State Reserve Administration. The capacity of vaccination flows at the level of the Defense Ministry is also expected to increase.



COALITION - The center-right ruling coalition made up of the National Liberal Party - PNL, the Save Romania Union - PLUS Alliance - USR-PLUS, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania - UDMR, is convening on Monday in its first session after last week's demise of USR-PLUS Health Minister Vlad Voiculescu. USR-PLUS leaders have criticized Prime Minister Florin Cîţu's decision to sack Voiculescu and called for an emergency meeting of the ruling coalition to discuss the withdrawal of political support for the Prime Minister. In turn, PNL and UDMR leaders have expressed support for Florin Cîţu, underlining that USR-PLUS must come up with a new proposal for the Health Ministry. On Friday, in a press conference after his demise, Vlad Voiculescu made serious accusations targeting the Prime Minister and other Liberal leaders, claiming that he found numerous flaws in the system since his appointment, which proves the central and local authorities' mismanagement of the pandemic. Voiculescu accused Florin Cîţu of negligence and refusing to engage in a dialogue over the problems in the health system.



DIPLOMACY - Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Monday is attending a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers held in videoconference format. The EU officials will also discuss the developments in Ukraine and exchange views with their Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba. According to the Romanian MFA, Bogdan Aurescu will reiterate Romania's support for Ukraine's European integration efforts and encourage the developments of efforts to conduct reforms to the benefit of all citizens. Additionally, Minister Aurescu will highlight Romania's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. At the same time, the Romanian official will express concern over Russia's deployment of military equipment and troops in Crimea on Ukraine's easter border and in the Black Sea region.



EXERCISE - Some 15,000 military from Romania and allied and partner states will take part, over May-June, in the "Dacia 21 Livex" exercise hosted by Romania. The exercise is part of the joint training timetable, the Defense Ministry reports. The first troops and equipment to arrive in Romania this week were 120 British military and 55 vehicles. Dacia 21 Livex confirms Romania's capacity to engage in defensive operations, as well as the permanent availability of allied and partner countries to swiftly deploy considerable forces to Romania with a view to defending the country against any potential threat to its national security. Additionally, Ministry officials say, Dacia 21 Livex will also probe Romanian support to military forces and equipment transiting national territory.



POLICE BRUTALITY - Two police officers were detained for 24 hours in a criminal investigation into the death of a man who passed away on Friday in Piteşti while he was being evacuated by the police from a restaurant during a fire. The autopsy report revealed the death was violent and was the result of polytrauma in the neck and chest areas. The police are now investigating a possible battery resulting in death, which is punishable by 6-12 years in prison.  Prime Minister Florin Cîţu on Sunday called on Interior Minister, Lucian Bode, to conduct a swift inquiry and said the guilty must be held accountable. (V.P.)



www.rri.ro
Publicat: 2021-04-18 20:00:00
Vizualizari: 1088
TiparesteTipareste