site.btaCOVID-19 in the Balkans

A number of Balkan countries are considering relaxing the measures against the spread of COVID-19, despite the fact that he number of new infections remains high in most countries, while the vaccination coverage among the population in the Balkans remains relatively low. Some countries reported the first cases of the "stealth" Omicron sub-variant. 

ALBANIA 

Albania's population is among the least vaccinated in Europe. According to John Hopkins University data, 41.39 per cent of the country's population is fully vaccinated. A total of 2,524 new cases and 24 fatalities were registered in Albania during the previous week. A recent study published by The Lancet shows that close to 87 per cent of Albanians have recovered from COVID-19. The mortality rate is 4.49 per 1,000 infections, compared to a global average of 3.4 per cent. 

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

According to the study, published by The Lancet, the COVID-19 mortality in the country is 5.43 per 1,000. The number of deaths has increased by 265 in the past week, while new infections have gone up by 6,574. Only 25.63 per cent of the population are fully vaccinated. 

GREECE

The restrictions against the spread of COVID-19 will be relaxed in Greece starting Saturday. Health Minister Thanos Plevris said that the expert commission has agreed to the Government's demands to lift the ban on standing customers at bars and night clubs, allow school field trips, permit the attendance of sports events given that the venue is filled at no more than 50 per cent of its seating capacity, among others. According to John Hopkins University data, there were 125,921 new COVID-19 infections in Greece over the previous week, while 591 people have died. A total of 69.34 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. 

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS 

The lock-down for non-vaccinated people will be lifted on February 21. Until then, people who are not vaccinated cannot visit indoor places, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, stadiums, theaters, cinemas, hotels, and could not attend weddings and christenings. According to the Health Ministry, the situation is stabilizing and the pressure on the healthcare system is decreasing. The new infections reported in the previous week were 17,592 with 37 fatalities. A total of 53,59 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. 

KOSOVO

There were 3,860 new infections reported last week and 23 fatalities. A total of 45.25 per cent of Kosovo's population is fully vaccinated.

ROMANIA 

The Government is preparing to lift the restrictions introduced in response to the pandemic when the state of emergency expires on March 6, while there are no plans to extend it further, local media report. According to Health Minister Alexandru Rafila, the number of new infections is entering a downward trend. A total of 131,322 new infections and 971 fatalities were reported in the previous week. A total of 41.48 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. 

NORTH MACEDONIA

Random screening COVID-19 testing will commence this week, in order to get an idea of the population's immunity to the virus. The testing will cover 1,000 people in Skopje, but could be extended outside the capital. The first three cases of the "stealth" Omicron sub-variant were reported this week, according to the Health Ministry. A total of 39.91 per cent of the population of North Macedonia are fully vaccinated. A total of 7,650 new infections and 171 fatalities were reported in the previous week. 

SLOVENIA 

A total of 47,162 new cases and 109 fatalities were registered in the previous week, according to John Hopkins University data. A total of 58.26 per cent of the country's population are fully vaccinated. Pressure on the hospitals is falling and hospitalizations with COVID-19 are expected to drop significantly next week when a gradual relaxation of the anti-epidemic measures could commence. 

SERBIA 

A total of 55,327 new COVID-19 infections and 440 fatalities were reported in the previous week, according to John Hopkins University data. Vaccination coverage remains under 50 per cent, with 46.88 per cent of the country's population fully vaccinated. 

TURKEY 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine have recovered from COVID-19 last week. Erdogan said he went through the infection well, which he attributes to his vaccination. The Turkish President has received two doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine and a Pfizer/BioNTech booster jab. A total of 1,911 people have lost the battle with COVID-19 in Turkey over the previous week, when the number of new infections reached 619,185. A total of 63.13 per cent of Turkey's population are fully vaccinated. 

CROATIA 

Croatia resorted to a new strategy for increasing vaccination against COVID-19, which includes the additional mobile teams, especially in rural regions, as well as possibilities for the chronically ill to get vaccinated in hospitals. A total of 29,109 new cases and 351 fatalities were registered in the past week. A total of 54.61 per cent of the population are fully vaccinated, show John Hopkins University data. 

MONTENEGRO 

The first four cases of the "stealth" Omicron sub-variant were reported this week, according to local media. The number of active COVID-19 cases has been decreasing over the past two weeks. There were a total of 2,680 new infections and 22 fatalities in the previous week. A total of 44.90 per cent of Montenegro's population are fully vaccinated. The Government is relaxing the anti-epidemic measures starting Friday. Weddings, birthday parties and other private gatherings will be permitted, given that there is an area of at least 10 sq m per person and all attendees have certificates.