"There have been a very high number of illnesses for almost two months." Cases of COVID-19 have increased in Romania and other European countries. / What are the symptoms of the new variant?

Thursday, Oct 16, 2025

HotNews

COVID-19 cases rise globally; Romanian doctors note undercounting due to home isolation and bureaucratic issues.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Medical professionals report an increase in COVID-19 cases, noting that official data may not fully reflect the true number because many individuals are isolating at home. While official statistics showed a peak in early September with over 5,000 confirmed cases and 11 deaths in one week, other European countries like Austria and France have also seen rising infections. In Romania, case numbers recently trended downward, but doctors emphasize that self-testing leads to undercounting. Symptoms commonly resemble upper respiratory tract infections, such as sore throat and congestion. Most patients presenting are elderly or have underlying conditions, and while many cases are mild or moderate, antiviral treatment is often administered. A significant issue highlighted is the complex and frequently changing bureaucracy surrounding medical leave for COVID-19; although current regulations allow for 100% compensation for this contagious illness, some employers remain unaware of these changes, leading to conflicts with patients’ families. Furthermore, Romania faces a shortage of free COVID-19 vaccines compared to other nations.

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