(22 Oct 2021) Hospitals in Romania are struggling under the increasing numbers of coronavirus patients requiring treatment amidst the country's low vaccination rates.
In Romania, a European Union country of around 19 million, only 35% of adults are fully inoculated against COVID-19, compared to an EU average of 74%.
This makes it the second-least vaccinated nation in the EU following Bulgaria as the widespread vaccine hesitancy is crippling the country's health care system.
Doctor Filip Petruta who works 100-hour per week at Bucharest's struggling Spitalul Universitar de Urgenta told the Associated Press on Friday, she would bring people who don't believe in the virus to see the Hospital's situation.
"All the stories on TV are about morgues filled with dead people and relatives crying outside them" she said of the dire situation.
On Tuesday, Romania registered a record of nearly 19,000 infections and 574 deaths and on Friday more than 1,800 coronavirus patients were receiving intensive care.
Latest data from Romania's health authorities indicated that more than 90% of those dying from COVID-19 were unvaccinated.
Heather Papowitz, WHO's representative visiting Romania attended a three day 24 hour vaccination 'marathon' which took place in the country's capital.
During a press conference at the event she urged people to keep wearing masks even though they are vaccinated.
"Apart from the vaccination, I still protect myself, I wear a mask in public places in closed settings, and I do a risk assessment every day where I'm going" she said during a press conference in Buchurest on Friday.
According to officials more that 13,000 people received the vaccine within the first eight hours of Friday's vaccination 'marathon'.
For 51-year-old Emilia, who went to get jabbed the population was not well-informed about the vaccines and she blames the authorities for the situation.
"It was a great deal of ignorance, people were not well informed (about the vaccines)," said 51 year old Emilia who went to receive the vaccine.
In an attempt to curb the deadly surge and relieve pressure on hospitals, authorities approved on Friday a series of tighter restrictions set to take effect on Monday.
Vaccination certificates and mask wearing mandates will be required to access several activities such as gyms, cinemas and shopping malls.
Moreover, there will be a 10pm curfew for everyone in public, shops will be shut by 9pm and night venues will close for 30 days.
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