3,000 Albanian healthcare professionals ready to join fight against coronavirus

Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-20 23:51:57|Editor: huaxia

TIRANA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- As more people get infected by coronavirus in Albania, 3,000 healthcare professionals have responded positively to the country's call to join the fight against the virus, Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said Friday.

Via a Facebook post, Manastirliu said that 3,000 doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, public health professionals and medical students have responded to the health ministry's call to serve in case of need to cope with the current situation.

Manastirliu said this is an "example of solidarity and sacrifice."

In the past 24 hours, the Public Health Institute has tested 35 suspected cases, and six turned out positive, bringing the country's total to 70, said Mira Rakacolli, deputy health minister.

Rakacolli urged the citizens to avoid going to the hospitals in case of emergency and call the national emergency number 127 in advance.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had announced earlier that all doctors and nurses currently working on the front line will have a bonus of 1,000 euros (1,073 U.S. dollars) in their salaries during the fight against COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

"The bonus will also be given to all volunteers joining the medical staff," Rama said. Enditem

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