TIRANA – Albania has registered 34 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total tally to 712, on Saturday reported the health official Genta Qirjako. This is the highest number of infected persons confirmed in a day in weeks.
Most of the infected persons were found to be in the town of Kruja, which has lately turned into a dangerous contagious hotspot because of the density of workers in 61 textile manufactures operating there.
Over the past 24 hours, a total of 259 people have been tested for the virus, according to data made available by the Institute of Public Health (ISHP). The number of fatalities from the disease stands at 27.
“Despite the high number of new infections most of those are asymptomatic and are contacts of other people who tested positive,” said Qirjako. According to her, Albania has tested 7015 persons and the total number of those infected goes up to 712 cases.
In the meantime, the health official reported that 9 persons recovered bringing the total number of recoveries to 403.
Last week, Albania’s parliament adopted a plan for the gradual reopening of the economy which foresees easing movement restriction measures and relaunching some businesses as of Monday.
Under the plan, all businesses and sectors are expected to reopen as of April 27. Albania’s government expects to lose more than 500 million euro ($540 million) by the end of June due to the coronavirus pandemic, the prime minister’s office quoted Rama as saying last Friday.
Saturday was again an opportunity for pensioners to leave their houses for what PM Edi Rama called ‘airing’. The exit permit for the elderly, who are considered as the most vulnerable group from coronavirus, lasted until 11 am while the rest of the population stayed inside in lockdown which will last until Monday at 5 am. /argumentum.al
