Balkans: Virus cases surpass 34,500

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - The tally of coronavirus cases in the Western Balkan countries has risen to 34,598, with nearly 1,500 deaths in the region.

In the last 24 hours, six more people died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, in Serbia, bringing the total number of fatalities to 185.

The number of cases on Friday climbed to 9,205, with 285 new cases.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the country has reached the lowest infection rate since the start of the outbreak.

Serbia imposed a night curfew on Friday to prevent citizens from gathering outside to celebrate the May 1 holiday.

In Montenegro, no new cases have been reported since Monday. So far, the tally of infections stands at 322, with seven deaths.

In North Macedonia, 1,494 cases and 81 death have been recorded so far. The government last week relaxed curfew hours but group gatherings remain prohibited and face masks are compulsory in public spaces.

In Albania, there are 782 cases of the virus, with 31 deaths.

In Croatia, the number of cases increased to 2,085, while deaths in the country rose to 75.

In Slovenia, the tally of cases is at 1,434 with 92 deaths, in Romania 12,567 with 726, in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1,771 with 70, in Bulgaria 1,541 with 66, and in Kosovo 806 with 22.