The Ministry of Health reported 7 deaths from COVID-19 on Friday, as September came to an end with a death count of 207 mortalities, or 104 more than the same period last year.

The Ministry said that the victims ranged from the age of 47 to 79.

In addition, another 647 citizens tested positive.

Last year, Albanian authorities were conducting fewer tests, more precisely six times less. However, official data indicate that infection from the original strain caused fewer deaths in Albania, compared to data from last September.

In September 2020, a total of 25,404 tests were conducted, where 4,293 people tested positive (16.8%), while the monthly death toll was 103.

The Delta variant spread rapidly in August 2021. During this time period, more than 13,300 contracted the virus.

Compared to last September, the number of cases was three times higher, despite going unnoticed by the general public due to relatively low mortality figures, even lower than last year (127 in August 2020; 41 in August 2021).

But September painted a more dramatic tint to the overall situation. Some of those who contracted the virus in September, saw their health conditions deteriorate and were forced to seek help from hospitals, with 17 victims recorded on September 29, a figure that had not been seen in six months.

One of the positive indicators that could be pointing out that Albania is passing the peak is the fact that infections are dropping, as well as the number of active cases.

According to a tally kept by the health authorities, 2,705 people have died from COVID-19 from the beginning of the pandemic, or 1.6% of positive cases.

Please find below, graphs comparing official figures from last year.

Number of COVID-19 single-day deaths – compared to last year

Number of daily cases reported – compared to last year

Number of active COVID-19 cases – compared to last year