The number of infections with the novel coronavirus in Moldova rose to 2,548. On April 20, the health authorities announced 76 new cases of COVID-19, IPN reports.

After the meeting of the Single Command Center for managing the crisis caused by COVID-19, Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Viorica Dumbrăveanu said the 76 new cases were confirmed after processing 199 samples. Of these, 28 cases were recorded in Glodeni district, while 14 in the municipality of Chisinau.

Mayor Ion Chicu said that following the steps taken by the police, it was established that most of the citizens and clerics on Easter obeyed the rules imposed by the authorities to contain the pandemic. Even if the Easter foodstuff was blessed in some of the localities, the procedure was performed accruing to the rules. An increased number of cars going to and out of Chisinau was yet recorded. It is thus hard to estimate the consequences. The situation will become clearer towards this weekend.

The official noted the authorities intend to ease a number of restrictions on economic activities as of April 27, but the decisions depend on how the epidemiological situation evolves. In another development, Premier Chicu said the consignment of 80,000 test kits bought from Chinua and other equipment will be distributed to health facilities. He also said that a quarantine regime was instituted in Brânzeni village of Edineț district.

A state of emergency was declared in Moldova for 60 days on March 17.