Albania reported 17 coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday, an all-time high it has reached for the first time over the past two months after a surge in cases that authorities blamed on the infectious Delta variant.

Health Ministry informed on Wednesday that 680 new cases of Covid-19 were discovered in the last 24 hours as 3937 tests were realized by public and private hospitals. 

Most of the cases were identified in Tirana (274), while Fier, Saranda and Durres had respectively 40, 35 and 34 new infections.

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection also announced that unfortunately the daily figure of coronavirus deaths has increased by two. In the last 24 hours, 5 citizens from Tirana aged 52-82 years old, 3 citizens from Durrës aged 71-79 years old, 2 citizens from Kamza aged 81 years old, 2 citizens from Vlora aged 63 and 82 years old, 1 citizen from Lushnja aged 51 years old, 1 citizen from Fushë -Kruja 64 years old, 1 citizen from Pogradec 70 years old, 1 citizen from Kuçova 77 years old, 1 citizen from Mamurras 81 years old passed away.

“3,937 tests were performed, of which 680 citizens tested positive for COVID19 in the following municipalities:

274 citizens in Tirana, 40 in Fier, 35 in Saranda, 34 in Durrës, 30 citizens in Shkodra, 24 Elbasan, 21 in Lezha, Kruja, Vlora, 19 in Korca, 15 in Lushnje, 12 in Kukes, 10 in Divjaka, 9 in Kurbin, 8 in Vora, 7 in Vau i Dejës, Kamëz, Dibër, Gjirokastra, Pogradec, 6 in Malësi e Madhe, 5 in Skrapar, Gramsh, Kuçova, 4 in Shijak, Rroskovec, Tepelena, Devoll, Peqin, 3 in Patos , Përmet, Memaliaj, Cërrik, 2 in Mirdita, Kavaja, Mat, Mallakastra, Delvina, Kolonja, Dimal, Poliçan, 1 in Puka, Has, Tropoja, Rrogozhina, Bulqiza, Selenica, Libohova, Dropull, Këlcyra, Berat, Librazhd”, announced the Health Ministry.

Lickily, 996 citizens have been cured in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of cured to 156,674 since the beginning of the epidemic.

Meanwhile, there are 10,103 active COVID19 patients nationwide and at the moment, 155 of them are receiving specialized medical treatment at the COVID Hospitals, of whom 21 are in a more serious condition than the others.

Due to the growth in pandemic-related numbers, the Ministry of Health appealed to Albanian citizens to be vaccinated as soon as possible, to protect themselves and the health of others.

"Get vaccinated at the nearest vaccination center, as antiCOVID vaccines reduce the chance of infection and greatly avoid hospitalizations and fatalities" highlighted the top health office of Albania.