Bulgarian PM tests positive for coronavirus

Boyko Borissov reports a ‘general indisposition’ and says he’ll be treated at home; Netanyahu sends him wishes for a speedy recovery

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has tested positive for the new coronavirus as the number of infected with COVID-19 in the Balkan country has been on a steady rise in the two weeks.

Borissov made the disclosure in a Facebook message on Sunday.

“After two PCR tests, today I am positive for COVID-19,” Borissov wrote.

He said that he has a “general indisposition” and, following the recommendations of doctors, will remain at home for treatment.

The Balkan nation of 7 million people has recorded 37,562 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 1,084 deaths.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening wished Borissov a fast recovery from the virus.

To my friend Bulgarian Prime Minister @BoykoBorissov, my very best wishes for a speedy recovery and good health.

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 25, 2020

A passenger of a bus coming from Romania, left, undergoes a voluntary Covid-19 blood test, at the Tiburtina bus station, in Rome, July 29, 2020. The Lazio region, which includes Rome, is beginning voluntary tests on passengers arriving in Italy from Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine, with a blood test on finger with results in 8 minutes followed by swab test if result is positive. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

Confirmed coronavirus infections continued to soar Saturday in many parts of the US and Europe.

Spain last week became the first European country to surpass 1 million officially recorded COVID-19 cases. Buckling under the resurgence of the coronavirus in Europe, the Spanish government on Sunday declared a national state of emergency that includes an overnight curfew in hopes of not repeating the near collapse of the country’s hospitals.

Italy’s leader imposed at least a month of new restrictions across the country Sunday to fight rising coronavirus infections, shutting down gyms, pools and movie theaters, putting an early curfew on cafes and restaurants and mandating that people keep wearing masks outdoors.

Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn, who has tested positive for the new coronavirus, appealed to Germans on Sunday to keep obeying precautionary measures as the virus spikes across the country and the hospital intensive care units are filling up again.

Spahn, 40, posted a video on his Facebook page saying he was lucky that other than “cold symptoms,” he is not suffering any other COVID-related symptoms. He also said none of his close coworkers at the ministry had yet tested positive.

Spahn appealed to all citizens to wear masks and keep distance in light of quickly rising infection figures.

“It is serious. We know the harm this virus can cause, especially for people with preexisting illness and for the elderly and very old,” he said.