A number of 90 samples were processed by the accredited lab on March 20 and 17 new cases of infection with COVID-19 were detected as a result. Twelve of these are locally transmitted cases, while the rest are cases of import. The information was presented after the meeting of the Single Command Center for managing the crises caused by COVID-19 in the evening of March 20, IPN reports.

Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Viorica Dumbrăveanu said that eight of the 12 cases of local transmission were recorded in the municipality of Chisinau, one case in Hâncești, two cases in Sângerei and one case in Ștefan Vodă. In four of the cases of import, the infection was brought from Ukraine, while in one case from Russia. As many as 66 cases of infection with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Moldova to date.

President Igor Dodon said the authorities are ready to deal with hundreds of cases. Among the infected people is a person who made a trip to Ukraine. The official called on the people to show responsibility so as to stop the spread of COVID-19.

In Moldova, a state of emergency was declared for 60 days, starting with March 17.