Macedonia ranks 37th out of 43 countries in Europe according to the Global Health
Safety Index for 2019, which measures countries' readiness and their health systems
to cope with outbreaks or pandemics.
Of the countries in the region, Croatia, Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro and
BiH rank better.
The Global Health Safety Index is compiled on the basis of six criteria: prevention,
early detection and reporting, rapid response, health care, compliance with
international norms and the risk environment.
The first case of coronavirus confirmed in Macedonia on Wednesday. It is a 50-year-
old woman who contracted the virus in Italy. The woman diagnosed with coronavirus
entered Macedonia at the Tabanovce border crossing, but it is unclear how she
arrived at the Infectious Disease Clinic.
