BUCHAREST, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Romania reported 889 COVID-19 patients in the last 24 hours, hitting record high and becoming one of the countries with the highest number of daily new infections among the European Union (EU).

Official data released on Saturday showed that the country, after reporting over 700 new cases for two days, broke the 800 mark for the first time in the last 24 hours, pushing the total number of infections to 36,691.

There were 21 new deaths in the last 24 hours, and the total number of deaths exceeded the 2,000 mark, reaching 2,009, according to the Strategic Communication Group (GCS), the country's official COVID-19 communication task force.

Currently, 280 patients are in intensive care units. Recent official data showed that the number of the critically ill patients is continuing to increase, breaking the highest record every day.

Meanwhile, 22,488 people have recovered, according to GCS.

To date, 943,733 tests have been processed across the country with a population of some 19 million.

The authorities announced on Wednesday to extend by another month the current state of alert against the pandemic, the second one-month extension after the country entered the state of alert in mid-May, following the end of a two-month higher-level state of emergency.

Under the current regulations, the indoor activities of the catering industry, cinemas and theaters are still suspended. People must wear masks in indoor public places such as work units, shops, and public transportation, and maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters.

The epidemic has rebounded in Romania since mid-June. The statistics showed that the number of new single-day cases averaged over 320 between June 16 and June 30 and 540 since July, while the average daily cases in the first half of June were 194. Enditem

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