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

Health system’s authorities and structures are very carefully monitoring the epidemiological situation in the country. With a series of lockdown measures further eased, health authorities have increased vigilance and efforts to track down and identify the suspected cases of COVID-19 infection and their closed contacts.

Tests were conducted on the samples of 270 individuals, out of which 17 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed.

Eleven new cases are contacts of the previously confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, whereas epidemiological investigation is underway to identify the source of infection of six other fresh cases.

Nine new cases were identified in Tirana, five in Kruja and three new cases, all members of the same family, were detected in the Municipality of Kamza.

A total of 820 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus since its outbreak and 70% of them have already recovered. Currently Albania records a total of 219 active cases.

A surge in the number of new COVID-19 cases as well as in the number of infected people needing hospitalization was recorded in the past 24 hours. A total of 38 patients are being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital and the ‘COVID 2’ Hospital, eight of whom are in intensive care.

With the lockdown measures gradually easing, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection urges citizens to strictly abide by the instructions from the health authorities about social and physical distancing rules and personal hygiene, and calls on businesses to rigorously comply with the safety protocols.

The Ministry of Health appeals citizens not to ignore the COVID-19 infection symptoms and immediately dial the National Emergency Line 127 if they suspect about Covid-19 symptoms.

The green line 0800-40-40 has been made available to offer psychological counselling to help the citizens with physical, emotional and other mental health-related concerns.

Currently, the geographical distribution of the active Covid-19 cases in Albania is as follows:

Tirana         99

Kruja           81

Shkodra      15

Kurbin          9

Elbasan        3

Kamez         3

Kukes           2

Mirdita         2

Berat             2

Durres           1

Korça             1

Lezha             1