The government has decided that 300 doctors, nurses or medical technicians will be added to Albania’s healthcare capacities to fight COVID-19, the Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu notified Saturday.

During her meeting with epidemiologists in Tirana, Manastirliu stressed that work is being done for adding capacities and human resources in preparation for the autumn-winter period. The newly-hired healthcare experts’ priorities will be not only testing for the virus, but also tracking, investigation and limitation of the infection scale, as the minister said.

“The government decision has allocated 300 employees for the hospitals that are expected to open, but also for our medium-term plan in response to the situation caused by COVID-19. 300 employees will be doctors, technicians or nurses, who will respond to the needs of COVID hospitals or other needs that the health system has”, Minister Manastirliu noted.

On their part, the field epidemiologists have reported that from the recently identified cases, there is an increase in cases to young people who have been infected by attending places with mass gatherings, mainly parties and birthdays.

"What is noticed in this period is the increase of cases at young ages. The main hotbeds are from parties or gatherings at funeral ceremonies ", explained the epidemiologists.