Skopje, 15 July 2024 (MIA) — With the highly mutated KP.3 taking over as the dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, the Albanian health authorities have reported a surge of new COVID-19 cases in the country, according to MIA's Tirana correspondent.

The majority of the new infections were reported in children and adults aged 30 and up, Albania's Top Channel reported.

"COVID-19 is present throughout the year – at no point have we had zero cases. Now we are observing a fluctuation in the curve. We have had dozens of cases a day," said Eugena Tomini, director of the Public Health Institute.

Doctors are confirming seeing patients with clinical signs of the disease, although health facilities are not required to perform coronavirus tests.

"Patients are presenting with [COVID-19] symptoms including weakness, joint pain, headaches, cough, high fever, loss of smell and taste," doctors say. mr/