The coronavirus infection rate in Armenia is declining but some 300 patients remain in a serious or critical condition, Health Ministry spokeswoman Alina Nikoghosyan said Tuesday, August 18.

Nikoghosyan said people's following of three simple anti-epidemic rules – wearing a mask, frequent disinfection of hands and social distancing – are bearing fruit.

"The number of deaths are stable, with 8-9 patients dying every day due to the fact that 300 people are in a serious or critical condition," RFE/RL Armenian Service cited Nikoghosyan as saying on Tuesday.

15 hospitals converted into Covid-19 treatment centers have already returned to normal activity in the country.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 145 to reach 41,846 on Tuesday, August 18. So far, 34,982 people have recovered, 832 have died from the coronavirus in the country, while 245 others carrying the virus have died from other causes.