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

As part of the daily coronavirus briefing, we inform you that work is underway on the ground to identify new Covid-19 cases and track down confirmed cases tested positive for the virus.

Tests were conducted on 236 suspected individuals, out of which only 17 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours. 

So far, tests have been conducted on 2989 suspected cases and 400 of them have tested positive for the Covid-19. 

A total of 22 citizens have lost the battle with this disease so far despite the incredible efforts of the health personnel.

Twenty three more patients have recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total of recovered Covid-19 patients in Albania to 154.

We inform you that out of the total 52 patients being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, five are in intensive care. 

Six patients are being treated at “Shefqet Ndroqi” University Hospital, the second Covid-19-only patient hospital in the country, five of whom are in intensive care and four of them intubated.

A total of 58 patients are currently being treated at both hospitals. 

The number of Covid-19 infected people has further increased with nine more new cases detected in Tirana, one case in Elbasan, six cases in Fier and one new case in Shkodra.

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

– Tirana           190 cases

– Durres           38 cases

– Lushnja          5 cases

– Elbasan          12 cases

– Fier                 32 cases

– Kavaja            8 cases

– Rrogozhina    4 cases

– Korça              17 cases

– Vlora               5 cases

– Shkodra         45 cases

– Lezha             14 cases

– Berat              2 cases

– Has                 12 cases

– Kruja              5 cases

-Tropoja           4 cases

– Puka              4 cases

– Mirdita         3 cases

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection once again urges citizens to respect the social distancing measures as the only way to successfully cope with this challenge. The number of new Covid-19 cases in the past few days shows a surge of cases within same family and therefore it is equally important that the 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.