Press statement by Dr. Rovena Daja, 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 in the past 24 hours:

Tests were conducted on the samples of 240 suspected individuals, out of which 29 new Covid-19 cases, including a member of the medical personnel, were confirmed in the past 24 hours.

Out of 20 fresh cases identified in Tirana, 13 of them were detected in a prison, where the epidemiological investigation is underway, after one of the inmates tested positive for the virus. Seven more new cases were detected in Kruja and two others in Shkodra.

Despite a surge in the number of new cases today, all cases are localized in two epicentres that are being carefully examined and monitored by the epidemiologists on the ground.

So far, tests have been conducted on 6509 people and 663 of them have tested positive for the Covid-19.

Twenty-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 385.

All coronavirus infected patients in Berat, Lezha, Mirdita, Rrogozhina and Tropoja have already fully recovered.

Currently 251 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 26 patients currently being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, four are under intensive care. Out of eight patients being treated at the COVID 2 Hospital, four are at intensive care unit and in severe health conditions.

A total of 34 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:

– Tirana                  276 cases

– Durres                 42 cases

– Lushnja               6 cases

– Elbasan               18 cases

– Fier                      36 cases

– Kavaja                   9 cases

– Rrogozhina           4 cases

– Korça                     19 cases

– Vlora                       5 cases

– Shkodra                 102 cases

– Lezha                      14 cases

– Berat                       2 cases

– Has                          13 cases

– Kruja                       65 cases

-Tropoja                      4 cases

– Puka                         5 cases

– Mirdita                     3 cases

– Kukes                       11 cases

-Mallakastra               1 case

– Kurbin                      28 cases

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 their number is stable, less than 15% of the active cases.

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.