Covid-19 in Romania: Big cities take additional measures to avoid quarantine

Faced with an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, large cities in the country are taking additional measures to contain the spread of the virus and avoid being placed under quarantine. In cities such as Cluj-Napoca, Timişoara, or Constanța the infection rate exceeds 7 per 1,000 inhabitants, bringing them closer to the quarantine scenario. Sibiu and Alba Iulia have recently entered quarantine after reporting infection rates higher than 10.

In Constanța, in southeastern Romania, the infection rate stood at 7.83 on November 16, while in the county it reached 5.2. The local authorities did not announce a quarantine but decided to introduce new measures such as disinfecting the city’s food markets daily, the daily disinfection of streets and sidewalks, and the closing of the playgrounds. At the same time, the prevention measures will be communicated in audio messages and posters displayed in public institutions, stores, and blocks of flats.

In Cluj-Napoca, where the infection rate reached 9.04 per 1,000 inhabitants, the prefecture decided the quarantine was not necessary at the moment.

According to Cluj prefect Mircea Abrudean, the analysis presented by the Public Health Department (DSP) doesn’t meet the minimum criteria for introducing the quarantine. Outlining other reasons for the decision, he said the high number of tests carried out locally generates a higher number of reported cases, something he takes into account when deciding the quarantine, Agerpresreported. He also explained that the Covid-19 mortality rate is the lowest in the country, while many of the patients who test positive for Covid-19 do not have permanent residence in Cluj-Napoca, leading to “an artificial increase of the incidence rate.” At the same time, there are enough beds available for Covid-19 patients, with 69 beds in intensive care units and another 27 being added.

The county of Cluj had an infection rate of 7.37 on Monday, November 16, down from 7.56 the day before, and the second-highest in the country after Sibiu county.

In Timişoara the infection rate went up to 8.23 on November 17, from 8.02 the day before. Two weeks ago, Timişoara mayor Dominic Fritz said the city was unlikely to avoid entering quarantine. Ten localities in Timiş county have been under quarantine for almost ten days.

The counties with the highest infection rates were Sibiu (8.83), Cluj (7.37), Timiş (6.85), Ilfov (6.83), Braşov (6.21), Alba (6.01), Sălaj (5.9), Bihor (5.77), Arad (5.68), Constanţa (5.2), and Mureş (4.98), according to November 16 data.