TIRANA – Although lower than a day before, the number amounting to 31 of the new coronavirus cases continues to be a concern in Albania where there are four days in a row that infection hits different parts.
In the daily update the experts of Institute of Public Health Eugena Tomini said on Friday that one fatality was also registered, bringing the total number of those who passed away from coronavirus in Albania to 36.
According to her, the total toll of COVID-19 cases since the outbreak of the pandemic rose to 1,416, meanwhile the new cases of the past 24 hours were found in Tirana (8), Puka (6), Shkodra (5), Vlora (5), Kruja (2), Elbasan (2), Durres (2) and Lushnja (1).
Regarding the situation at the Infectious Diseases Ward, the Ministry of Health informed there are 48 patients being treated there, 7 of whom in intensive care. Some 33 recovered patients left the hospital in the last 24 hours.
She said that during the last 24 hours, 300 tests were made of which 31 positive cases were confirmed most of them being the family contacts of previously confirmed positive cases. But according to Tomini, there are some new cases under investigation process in Elbasan, Vlora, Shkodra and Tirana. There are currently 346 active people in Albania with COVID-19, mainly in Tirana, Shkodra, Kruja.
In view of the spread of the virus Health Ministry announced on Friday that it will be put off the opening of the public transport. Deputy Minister of Health Mira Rakacolli, who is also chair of the technical committee, said the public transport will resume on June 22 as it is considered a potential risk for further increase of the epidemic.
Joining her concern with that of other specialists Rakacolli said the high number of infection rate is due to lack of responsibility of the citizens to respect social distancing.
PM Edi Rama warned of eventual imposition of restrictions on Thursday evening if the rising curb of the infections continues. He was harsh with citizens who, as Rama said, do not take seriously the threat of the virus which has not disappeared.
On Thursday, Albania recorded 44 new COVID-19 cases which is the highest tally registered in Albania since the outbreak of the pandemic on March 9 this year. /argumentum.al
