Skopje, 16 August 2021 (MIA) – The modular next to the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, the infectious diseases unit within the Skopje City General Hospital 8 September and three triage centers in the capital start working on Monday, Minister of Health Venko Filipche told a press conference. He added that the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to grow, resulting in an increased number of patients who require hospitalization. “The pressure is highest at the hospitals in Tetovo, Gostivar and Struga. 90 patients are hospitalized in Tetovo and 70 in Gostivar. Infectious diseases units there are at capacity. The hospital in Leshok is also full and we’ve been working out where to redirect patients. The pressure was also big over the weekend in Skopje, where the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and the Tuberculosis Institute are at capacity,” Filipche said. He underlined that vaccination is going well following restrictions announcements. “Last week up to 8,000 citizens were administered the first vaccine dose daily. A total of 50,000 vaccines were administered and I believe this trend will prevail. 35% of the population has been vaccinated, including 70% of citizens over 70 and 50% of those over 50. In cities with low vaccination rate, the number of new cases is higher, whereas in Ohrid, Bitola and Shtip, which have high vaccination rates, there are less hospitalizations. Let’s hope it stays that way,” the Minister stressed. He added that 4,000 children under 18 have been vaccinated.