Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus

Three more Romanians infected with the novel coronavirus, namely two in France and one in the UK, have died abroad, and the number of Romanian citizens abroad who tested positive for COVID-19 stands at 94, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) informs.

Greece's Association of Pharmacists (PFS) echoed government coronavirus expert and spokesman Sotiris Tsiodras, urging its members not to supply consumers with kits purporting to test for Covid-19.

The German company Bosch has developed a rapid test to detect the new coronavirus, the result of which is ready in two and a half hours and gives 95% accuracy. The new test uses the molecular diagnostics of Vivalytic made by Bosch Health Department and used in hospitals, laboratories and medical practices. The rapid test meets the quality standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Summer heat is unlikely to stop the spread of the coronavirus, and every country in Europe is forecast to run out of intensive care beds by mid-April unless it acts fast, the European Union's disease control agency said on Wednesday.

Surgery and other hospital treatments and medical investigations that are not urgent and can be rescheduled are suspended for a period of 14 days, according to the order issued on Monday by the action commander, approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Marcel Vela, for establishing the measures necessary to limit the spread of the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the level of public

The second baby to a mother infected with the coronavirus was born at the capital's Attikon hospital on Monday. 

Doctors said that both mother and infant were well and under observation. It was not immediately clear whether the baby has contracted the virus. 

Last week, a 24-year-old woman infected with coronavirus gave birth to a baby, at the same hospital. 

As many as 260 persons have been confirmed so far for being infected with the new coronavirus type, on Wednesday informed the Strategic Communication Group (GCS). "Until today, 18 March, on Romania's territory were confirmed 260 cases of persons infected with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, of whom 19 are declared healed and have been discharged," the source says.

Thus, the total number of patients is 92

"We have 11 more cases of coronavirus infected. Thus, the total number of patients is 92. We have one in Smolyan and one in Veliko Turnovo." This was made clear at a briefing at the National Operations Headquarters.

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which originated from Wuhan last year and caused COVID-19 pandemic, spreading to more than 70 other countries around the world, is a product of natural evolution. This is determined by the results of a scientific study published in the prestigious magazine, Nature Medicine, bTV reported.

Greece's total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is now 352, infectious diseases Professor Sotiris Tsiodras at the daily briefing to reporters today.

The briefing was also attended by newly-appointed Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Chardalias.

Tsiodras said that there were 21 new cases since Sunday.

The source of infection for 51 cases is undetermined, he added.