site.btaCOVID-19 in the Balkans

The Balkan countries continue to cautiously ease anti-epidemic measures, although in many cases the daily incidence of newly diagnosed infections remains high. Following is this week’s news on the COVID-19 situation on the peninsula:

ALBANIA

A total of 392 new cases and four fatalities were reported in Albania this week, bringing the number of confirmed infections since the beginning of the pandemic to 272,804 and the death toll to 3,487. A total of 2,735,318 vaccine doses have been administered, and 42.35 per cent of the country's population has been fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

A total of 853 new cases were registered in the country this week, bringing the number of infections since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to 373,670. The death toll stands at 15,651, with 52 fatalities this week alone. A total 1,924,950 vaccine doses have been administered, and 25.63 per cent of the population is estimated to be fully vaccinated.

GREECE

The number of newly infected with COVID-19 in Greece is still over twenty thousand a day. According to experts, the actual number of cases is probably much higher, Greek media reported. Experts fear that Omicron's dominant sub-variant, combined with the loosening of anti-epidemic measures, could lead to a new pandemic boom. There is a decrease in mortality and severe cases. According to Ethnos, it is very likely that the lifting of health certificate requirements will be delayed.

CYPRUS

An increased COVID-19 positivity rate was registered in Cyprus. According to the Ministry of Health, the total number of registered COVID-19 cases has reached 363,792, and the death toll stands at 904. A total of 1,773,485 vaccine doses have been administered, and 53.84 per cent of all Cypriots are fully vaccinated, according to JHU statistics. A fourth dose of the vaccine, which will be given to people over the age of 70 and immunosuppressed people, will be available in Cyprus in early April, and third dose for children between the ages of 12 and 17 is to be discussed, Phileleftheros reported.

KOSOVO

Authorities in Kosovo reported five new deaths as a result of COVID-19 this week and a total of 239 newly registered infections. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 226,968 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Kosovo and the death toll stands at 3,127. Over 45 per cent of the population is considered fully vaccinated, according to JHU data.

NORTH MACEDONIA

Primary school students in the North Macedonia are exempted from wearing masks, but the measure remains in force for teachers and technical staff. The capacity of indoor sites such as operas, theatres, cinemas is increased from 50 to 75 per cent and the certificate requirement for patrons in outdoor areas of restaurants is lifted. A total of 1,826 new cases and 55 deaths were reported this week. Over 40 per cent of the country's population is fully vaccinated, according to JHU data.

ROMANIA

Only the Omicron variant is circulating in Romania, and the epidemic situation is stable. Nearly 22,000 new infections and 362 covid-related deaths were reported this week, according to JHU. The Minister of Health said that the daily positivity rate has stabilized at 8-9 per cent, Agerpres reported. On March 11, the government waived Passenger Locator Forms (PLF). As of March 9, all restrictions related to the pandemic have been lifted. Over 41 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.

SLOVENIA

A total of 16,076 new COVID-19 infections and 42 related deaths were reported in Slovenia this week, bringing the number of registered cases to 925,939, and the death toll to 6,424. Some 58 per cent of the total population of the country has been fully vaccinated with 3,117,901 doses.

SERBIA

Serbia registered 14,777 new infections and 121 fatalities this week, bringing the total number of infections to 1,947,591 and the death toll to 15,633, according to JHU data.

TURKEY

A 75 per cent drop in the number of COVID-19 cases is registered in Turkey compared to the previous month, Turkish media reported. Currently, the daily number of newly infected is about 25,000, while only a month earlier the number was about 100,000. The numbers of hospitalizations, patients in ICU and fatalities are decreasing. Over 63.42 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

CROATIA

The number of active cases in Croatia is over 11,000. Nearly 700 people were hospitalized, of whom about 40 in intensive care units. This brings the total number of registered COVID-19 cases to 1,079,397, and the death toll to 15,392. With 1,190 recoveries this week, their number reached 1,052,932. Vaccination was completed for 2,235,368 people (2,034,352 received two doses, and 201,016 people were administered the one-time Janssen vaccine), and thus 65.64 per cent of the adult population is vaccinated. Many anti-covid measures are greatly eased.

MONTENEGRO

This week the health authorities registered 589 new cases of COVID-19, and five related deaths, bringing the totals to 231,816 and 2,695, respectively. Over 45 per cent of the Montenegrin population has been fully vaccinated.