TIRANA – In its third day of the first stage of relaxation of some lockdown restrictions Albania reported on Wednesday new Covid-19 cases bringing the total number of the infected people with the disease to 766.
“Some 16 new coronavirusw cases were confirmed on Wednesday, bringing the country’s official number of cases to 766. Out of 270 patients tested during the last 24 hours as many as 9 positive cases were found in Tirana, 5 in Kruja, 1 in Shkodra and 1 in Berat,” said the medical bulletin released by the Institute of Public Health (ISHP).
According to the medical bulletin, there are currently 281 active patients with coronavirus in Albania and only 10% are being treated in the two COVID hospitals in Tirana, while about 90% of them are in self-isolation with mild symptoms or are asymptomatic being checked systematically by family doctor. The pandemic has claimed the life of 30 people so far.
ISHP officials also announced that there are currently 27 patients in the infectious diseases hospitals and 6 of them are in intensive care. The map of those affected with Covid-19 continues to expand in Tirana (318 cases), Kruja (102), Shkodra (108), Durres (42)
Wednesday’s new confirmed cases were made public against the background of a statement by Premier Edi Rama who said a day earlier that normality will be return in 2 or 3 – year time in Albania which was hit by the outbreak of the pandemic on March 9, 2020.
“We will live another two to three years with the risk that we may become infected,” Rama said, predicting that a return to normal life will happen when a vaccine is found and it could take as long as two or three years. In a live talk with a local TV on Tuesday evening, Rama said that the only way things will be like they were before the virus is when anti-Covid vaccine is discovered.
Referring to the current stage of the exit plan being applied since last Monday he tried to draw the attention of the people to be strict in respecting the set rules of social distancing. The opening of intercity travel will happen in the coming weeks but that no date had been set, according to him. Rama said that low-risk areas were already opened and that other locations would be added by the end of the week.
Regarding hairdressers, shopping malls, bars, and restaurants, the premier said that they are very dangerous as there is a high risk of transmission from an infected person to others. “The opening of these business activities needs to be carefully considered and a definitive decision has not been made yet.”
Linking everything with the situation in progress, the government, as its head said, could consider a third aid package for high-risk businesses if their reopening is prolonged further.
So far the government has introduced two financial support packages but opposition and relevant business undertakings have expressed their reservations and new additional financial supportive measures are required. /argumentum.al
