Press statement by Dr. Eugena Tomini, 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 270 suspected cases, out of which 16 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, namely nine new cases in Tirana, 5 in Kruja, one in Shkodra and one case in Berat.

So far, tests have been conducted on 8028 people and 766 of them have tested positive for the Covid-19.

Some 24 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 455.

Our of 281 active Covid-19 patients in our country, only 10 percent are being treated at the two hospitals, whereas 90% of them are self-quarantined showing mild or no symptoms of the infections and they are being systematically monitored by the family doctors.

So far, the total number of the coronavirus-related deaths in Albania is 30.

Out of a total 27 patients currently being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, six are under intensive care. Patients being treated at Infectious Hospital Diseases include three imported cases and they are three Albanian KFOR troops, who have been found to have contracted the virus after returning from Kosovo.

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

A total of 33 patients are currently being treated at both hospitals.

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

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

 

Municipality                     Confirmed cases                   Recovered people

Tirana                                     318                                            202

Shkodra                                   108                                          71

Kruja                                       102                                             9

Durres                                    42                                              38

Fier                                          37                                               32

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                                         4                                                  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.

In order for the situation to remain in control and with the gradual ease of certain restrictive measures, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection citizens strictly abide by the instructions from the health authorities, social and physical distancing rules and 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 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.