Press statement by Dr. Albana Fico, Public Health Institute:

We inform you that work continued to identify new Covid-19 cases and track down contacts of the confirmed cases tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours.

Tests were conducted on the samples of 253 suspected individuals, out of which 21 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours. Eleven new coronavirus cases were detected in Shkodra, 4 in Tirana, 4 in Kruja, while 2 new cases were confirmed for the first time in the Municipality of Kurbin.

So far, tests have been conducted on 5080 people and 539 of them have tested positive for the Covid-19.

Six more patients have recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of people who have recovered after having contracted the novel coronavirus in Albania to 283. As the pandemic curve shows, the recovery rate for patients infected with the COVID-19 is constantly higher than the number of the currently infected active cases.

A total of 26 patients have so far succumbed to the disease despite efforts of the medical personnel.

Out of the total 35 patients currently being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, seven are under intensive care.

At the COVID 2 Hospital, eight patients are hospitalized, four of whom are intubated at intensive care unit, and four others are at stable health condition.

A total of 43 patients are currently being treated at both hospitals.

The map of Covid-19 infected people expanded to include Kurbin and the number of infections further increased in Tirana, Shkodra and Kruja.

Currently, the geographical distribution of the infected patients across Albania is as follows:

– Tirana              245 cases

– Durres             42 cases

– Lushnja           6 cases

– Elbasan           16 cases

– Fier                  35 cases

– Kavaja             9 cases

– Rrogozhina    4 cases

– Korça              19 cases

– Vlora               5 cases

– Shkodra          94 cases

– Lezha              14 cases

– Berat               2 cases

– Has                  13 cases

– Kruja               11 cases

-Tropoja             4 cases

– Puka                 5 cases

– Mirdita            3 cases

– Kukes              9 cases

-Mallakaster      1 case

– Kurbin             2 cases

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection once again urges citizens to respect the social distancing measures. High sense of responsibility is required on the part of citizens to respect the necessary distance between each other and maintain personal hygiene.

It is equally important that measures to curb the spread of the infection are fully respected within the family circle by avoiding visits to the relatives for whatever the reason.

The Ministry of Health appeals citizens to dial the National Emergency Line 127 if they suspect about Covid-19 symptoms. For any question or information about Covid-19, dial green line 0800 40 40.