Bulgaria reported 4,851 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) per 24 hours on March 24, the highest daily record since the outbreak, health ministry data showed.

The country is in a third lockdown since March 22 as the number of new coronavirus cases has been surging for days and many hospitals have reported they have no capacity to take more patients.

At the same time, a poll carried out by Exacta Research Group on March 24, showed rising support for vaccination.

40.6% of people are in favour of vaccination and would get the shot, considering this the only way to return to normal life, the survey showed.

6.7% have already been vaccinated, while 15.5% have a date and are waiting for their turn, the poll showed.

“A total of 62.8% of polled Bulgarians in the current survey consider that their way towards future normal life goes through vaccination,” Exacta notes in the survey.

So far, among people who have already been vaccinated are those aged 40-50 and above 60 years old, predominantly living in the capital Sofia and educated people. Among those who have already set a date are mainly people living in Sofia, above 30 and with higher education.

The survey also showed that among people who say they do not want to get the vaccine are people below 40, mainly living in smaller towns and villages.

According to Exacta, the survey shows changing attitudes of Bulgarians and it forecasts that those in favour of vaccination will continue rising.