Accessibility links

Breaking News

Ukraine, Bulgaria Report Record-High COVID-19 Deaths, Infections


Svyatoslav (Shevchuk), head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, receives a COVID-19 vaccination in Kyiv on March 16.
Svyatoslav (Shevchuk), head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, receives a COVID-19 vaccination in Kyiv on March 16.

Ukraine has reported a record daily number of coronavirus-related deaths, while Bulgaria registered the highest daily rate of infections since the start of the pandemic, as European countries battle a new wave of COVID-19 cases.

Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said 342 people had died of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, a record number for the second day in a row. The previous high of 333 deaths was reported on March 23.

Stepanov said 14,174 new infections were reported over the past 24 hours. Ukraine has reported a total of 1,579,906 coronavirus cases and 30,773 deaths.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria reported 4,851 new infections over the past 24 hours, its highest daily tally on record.

The southeastern European country of 7 million people has recorded 312,741 cases since the start of the pandemic, including 12,307 deaths.

RFE/RL's Coronavirus Coverage

Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG