Albania reported a record jump in cases on Friday as it battles to bring a surge in infections under control. A further 306 people tested positive, Health Ministry revealed, up from 302 the day before, taking the total number of infections to 18.556.

The capital, Tirana remains the most affected area with 179 people that have tested positive of Covid-19 during last 24-hours, followed by Korca and Vlora with 25 infections each. Meanwhile, Shkodra, Kruja and Lushnja have the lowest infection rates presently. For the time being, in the Infectious Diseases and "Shefqet Ndroqi" Hospital are being treated 260 patients, 15 in intensive care and 6 of the latter are being kept to life through aspirators.

To make things worse, 4 nationals have passed away due to the virus in the last 24 hours. The fatalities today were a 49-year-old from Elbasan and a 70-year-old from Kurbin with concomitant diseases.

Among the victims was also a 21-year-old from Elbasan with some underlying health issues that was being treated in intensive therapy and the well-known 85-year-old doctor, former head of the infectious disease clinic at QSUT Elmaz Elezi.

On a more positive light, 71 citizens have recovered from the coronavirus, bringing the number of cured in the country to 10.466 since the beginning of the epidemic.

The Minstry of Health says that people must maintain social distance and care for their personal hygiene, also to contact family doctors or call the National Emergency Service on 127 in case of suspicion for infection.