COVID-19 pandemic in Albania
The COVID-19 pandemic in Albania was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case in the Republic of Albania was reported in Tirana on 8 March 2020, when a patient and his adult son who had come from Florence, Italy tested positive.[3] Both men later recovered.
On 21 December 2020, health minister Ogerta Manastirliu announced that the country has decided to suspend flights to and from the UK until 6 January 2021 because of what was then a new COVID-19 mutation that transmits more quickly than other variants. All passengers arriving from the UK by land had to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry. The flight suspension took effect on Tuesday, 22 December.[4]
As of 4 February 2023, 3,058,102 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Albania.[5]
Background[edit]
On 12 January, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019.[6][7]
Unlike SARS of 2003, the case fatality ratio for COVID-19[8][9] has been much lower, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[10][8]
Vaccination campaign[edit]
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Albania officially commenced on 11 January 2021, with 975 Pfizer vaccine doses, given as a gift to Albania by an undisclosed EU country.[71]