Six new cases of infection with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Moldova after testing samples taken from 63 persons. Three are cases of import and three are cases of local transmission. The information was presented in a press briefing after the meeting of the Single Command Center in the evening of March 18, IPN reports.

National Public Health Agency director Nicolae Furtună said that 372 persons have been tested for COVID-19 so far and 36 persons were diagnosed with the virus. An infected woman died. The reports about other cases of death are mere speculations.

Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Viorica Dumbrăveanu said that 160 places are now available at the Infectious Diseases Hospital “Toma Ciorbă”. Of these, 75 are intended for persons suspected of being infected with COVID-19 or who were diagnosed with the infectious disease. To ensure a normal working regime at this institution, as there are patients with other infectious diseases too, it was decided that the Ministry of Health’s Clinical Hospital will also receive patients who are suspected of having got COVID-19 or with light forms of the disease.

“All the speculations about the considerable number of suspected case, of infected persons are groundless. We urge you to inform yourselves from the official reports that we provide two times a day. If need be, we will provide intimation more often. As to the speculations about the shortage of specialists, I want to note that all the competent institutions have epidemiologists,” stated Viorica Dumbrăveanu.

Moldova’s Parliament declared a state of emergency for 60 days until May 15 in connection with the epidemiological situation generated by COVID-19.