March 9 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria's health ministry said that it has confirmed the first four cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country - two men in the city of Pleven and two women in the city of Gabrovo.
All people in close contact with the four patients have been tracked down and tested for the virus, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The infectious disease wards at the Pleven and Gabrovo hospitals have both been quarantined.
The disease's pattern in Bulgaria replicates the one in most European countries, as the first reported cases are of hospital staff and people who have been at a hospital.
In a separate statement on Sunday, the government said it has decided to ban all mass gathering events until further notice. The government also decided to sign a contract with Turkey's USHAS International Health Services for the purchase of medical consumables for the prevention and detection of COVID-19.