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

As part of the daily briefing on the spread of the Covid-19 infection in our country we provide you the latest updates and information on the ongoing epidemiologic investigation and the efforts to track down contacts of the confirmed cases tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours.

Tests were conducted on the samples of 267 suspected cases, out of which 14 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, namely seven new cases in Tirana, five in Kruja and two more new cases were detected in Shkodra.

So far, tests have been conducted on 7758 people and 750 of them have tested positive for the Covid-19. The average age of the confirmed cases is 46.8 years old.

A 52-year-old man from the town of Kruja passed away today morning after being intubated for the past eight days at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Tirana, bringing the total number of the coronavirus-related deaths in Albania to 30. The Ministry of Health extends condolences to the family of the deceased.

Nine 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 431.

Currently 289 Covid-19 infected people are active cases in Albania and data show that the percentage of those who have recovered has overtaken the number of the active cases and such trend remains unchanged.

Out of a total 27 patients currently being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, three are under intensive care.

Out of five patients being treated at the COVID 2 Hospital, two are at intensive care unit and in severe health conditions.

A total of 32 patients are currently being treated at both hospitals.

The number of new Covid-19 infections has further increased in Tirana, Kruja and Shkodra.

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

 

Municipality                        Confirmed cases                         Recovered people

Tirana                                          309                               188

Shkodra                                       107                                              64

Kruja                                            97                                                   9

Durres                                         42                                38

Fier                                               37                                29

Kurbin                                         31

Korça                                           19                                  18

Elbasan                                                       18                                 15

Kukes                                          18                                 10

Lezha                                           14                                 14

Has                                               14                                 12

Kavaja                                          9                                                  8

Lushnja                                                        7                                                  4

Vlora                                            5                                                   4

Puka                                             5                                                   4

Mirdita                                        5                                                   3

Rrogozhina                                  4                                                 4

Tropoja                                                        4                                                  4

Berat                                             3                                                  2

Mallakastra                                 1                                                 1

Mat                                              1

Despite the fluctuations in the number of people contracting the virus, the situation is equally under control.

The real indicator is the number of patients hospitalized and the low number of infected people needing assisted breathing.

With the ease of certain restrictive measures, in order for the situation to be kept under control, it is vitally important that citizens strictly heed the instructions from the health authorities, social distancing rules in particular in shops, workplaces, and public transportation means.

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.