Romania Reports Highest Daily Covid-19 Cases, Record Deaths

(Bloomberg) -- Romania reported the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, forcing the country to seek assistance from the World Health Organization in an attempt to limit the burden on already overwhelmed hospitals. 

The country is paying the price for having the European Union’s second-lowest vaccination rate, reporting 561 fatalities in the past 24 hours. That brings the toll to more than 42,000. New infections, at almost 19,000 since Monday, also reached a new high. 

A crisis expert from the WHO will meet in the coming days with the Romanian authorities to try to find solutions to the escalating situation. President Klaus Iohannis, government officials and health experts will on Wednesday also discuss potential tougher restrictions to try to limit the spread of the virus and the loss of life.

“The lack of detailed actions from the authorities is alarming and today’s numbers sadly confirm we didn’t do the right thing up to now,” Iohannis said. “We’re facing a national drama of terrible proportions and our only option is to overcome it. Any other issues have to come second.”

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