Statement by Eugena Tomini, the 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 236 suspected individuals, including 45 members of the health personnel, mainly in the regional hospital of Shkodra, out of which 8 new Covid-19 cases, six in Tirana, one medical personnel member in Shkodra and one in Kukes were confirmed in the past 24 hours.

So far, tests have been conducted on 4306 suspected cases and 475 of them have tested positive for the Covid-19. 

As the chart shows, the trend of the number of cases testing positive in the past two weeks remain stable.

A total of 24 citizens have died so far despite the incredible efforts of the health personnel.

Sixteen 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 248.

Out of the total 37 patients being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, five are in intensive care and one is intubated. 

At the COVDID 2 Hospital, nine patients are hospitalized, seven of whom are in intensive care and four intubated.

A total of 46 patients are currently being treated at both hospitals.

The map of Covid-19 infected people expands for the first time to include the northern region of Kukes, and the number of infected people further increased in Tirana and Shkodra.

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

– Tirana               227 cases

– Durres              42 cases

– Lushnja            6 cases

– Elbasan            15 cases

– Fier                   32 cases

– Kavaja               8 cases

– Rrogozhina      4 cases

– Korça                17 cases

– Vlora                  5 cases

– Shkodra            71 cases

– Lezha                14 cases

– Berat                 2 cases

– Has                    13 cases

– Kruja                 6 cases

-Tropoja               4 cases

– Pukë                  5 cases

– Mirdita             3 cases

– Kukes                1 case

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 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.