"The spread of COVID-19 in the country marks the beginning of a new, fourth pandemic wave," caretaker Health Minister Stoicho Katsarov said.

According to the minister, only 20.1% of the adult population in Bulgaria have already received the first vaccine dose, while 18.2% have been fully vaccinated. A total of 445,097 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 18,565 deaths have been registered in Bulgaria so far, of which 1,911 cases and 33 fatalities were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the health authorities.

Meanwhile, the number of active cases and hospitalizations rose to 23,814 and 2,873 respectively, the highest figures in three months. Bulgaria declared a State of Emergency on March 13, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This continued until May 13, 2020, when it was succeeded by an epidemic declaration, whic h has been extended repeatedly, although usually by one month or two.