VACCINE President Klaus Iohannis on
Thursday announced that in the forthcoming period Romania would receive a
substantial number of anti-Covid doses and the vaccine rollout can be stepped
up. The head of state urged Romanians to have confidence in the benefits of
immunisation. Romania is drawing close to 1 million infections since the start
of the pandemic, with over 6,000 cases reported in the past 24 hours alone and
a record-high number of patients in intensive care (1,434). The most cases were
reported in Bucharest, but the highest infection rate is in Ilfov County, near
the capital city. The death toll is now over 23,500. Meanwhile, over 3 million
vaccine doses have been given since the end of December to more than 2 million
people. Over 400,000 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine are expected to arrive in
Bucharest on Friday, the largest quantity Romania has received so far.
PROTESTS In Bucharest and several other
cities in Romania protests continued on Wednesday, for the 4th night
in a row, against the anti-COVID measures introduced by the authorities. Unlike
previous nights, on Wednesday protests were more low-key. Participants
chanted anti-government slogans, and demanded the lifting of restrictions such
as mandatory outdoor face covering, online schooling and the closing of
restaurants and gyms. The authorities argue however that the measures are
necessary if the accelerated spread of the novel coronavirus is to be curbed.
INSTITUTE Bucharest on Thursday
celebrated 100 years since the Cantacuzino Institute was founded under an order
signed by King Ferdinand. Since 2017, the Institute has been subordinated to
the National Defence Ministry. Over the years, the institution conducted
research in microbiology and related fields, produced vaccines and serums and
was involved in public healthcare. Cantacuzino Institute works with other
prestigious institutes and universities from the world over. Speaking on this
event, Romania’s Prime Minister Florin Citu said that fund shortage, the
frequent changes in its management and the involvement of the political class had
nearly brought this famous Romanian research institution on the verge of
bankruptcy. The Romanian official recalled that remarkable internationally-recognized
scientific breakthroughs and the incessant efforts made by passionate
researchers were the main pillars, which enabled this institute to make it
through difficult times.
ENVIRONMENT The US
president Joe Biden yesterday put forth a USD 2-billion investment plan targeting among others the
creation of jobs and fighting climate change. The American Jobs Plan is
an investment in America that will create millions of good jobs, rebuild our
country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China,
Biden said. According to the RRA
correspondent in Washington, Biden’s advisers say the pandemic changed the US
citizens’ attitude regarding the role of the government, and created
expectations of unprecedented investments in the reconstruction of the country.
(bill)