The Minister of Health, and Social Protection, Ogerta Manastirliu stated Monday that regional hospitals of Durres and Shkodra will be opened for patients infected with Covid-19. 

This measure comes as Albania has used almost all capacities in four Covid-dedicated hospitals: 531 hospitalized patients meanwhile the total capacities are around 550 beds.

"Yesterday we reached more than 500 hospitalized in 4 COVID hospitals. We will activate the regional hospitals from today. We start with Durrës and Shkodra. And further with Vlora, Korça and Elbasan. Then we move on to other scenarios," said the minister. 

Albania has been facing record coronavirus figures recently. Over 1000 new cases and over 10 deaths are being reported every day, meanwhile, the number of patients admitted to hospitals has doubled very fast. 

The first scenario involves four dedicated Covid hospitals with a total capacity of 550 beds. But the Ministry of Health has prepared a second and a third scenario, which in total can face around 1500 patients.