Coronavirus Deaths in Greece Approach 10,000

Coronavirus Greece — Greeks waiting in line for a rapid test in Athens’ Syntagma Square. Credit: Greek Reporter

Greece confirmed 2,411 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, with 7 of these identified at entry points to the country, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) said on Saturday.

Greece has confirmed 313,444 infections from the start of the pandemic (daily change: +0.8 pct).

In the confirmed cases of the last 7 days, 59 infections are related to travel from abroad and 3,265 to other confirmed cases.

There are also 67 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of pandemic victims to 9,397. Of these, 95.5 pct had an underlying condition and/or were 70 years old.

A total of 837 patients are on ventilators in hospitals. Their median age is 68 years and 85.2 pct have an underlying condition and/or are aged 70 or more. Another 1,936 have been discharged from ICUs since the pandemic began.

In addition, 507 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospital in the last 24 hours, a drop of 7.31 pct from the previous day. The average number of admissions with Covid-19 to hospitals over the last 7 days was 514.

The median age of new infections is 44 years (range: 0.2 to 106 years), while the median age of the deceased is 79 (range: 0.2 to 106 years).

Hospitals in Greece under pressure

Hospitals will remain under pressure for the next 2-3 weeks, infectious diseases professor Vana Papaevangelou said during Friday’s regular briefing on the coronavirus pandemic in Greece, but new admissions are stabilizing to around 250 per day.

Most of the country has high infection rates, with several areas showing a current rate of 250 infected people per 100,000 of population, she said.

A total of 5,500 patients with Covid-19 are hospitalized at this point, while 824 are on ventilators. Throughout Greece, 86 pct of Covid-19-dedicated beds in ICUs are occupied, with the rate rising to over 90 pct in Athens and Thessaloniki.

One in 4 of those on ventilators is aged under 55, while most admissions to ICUs related to the 65-74 age group; older people appear to be now protected by vaccination, she reiterated.

The Health Ministry experts committee member also noted that even if hospital admissions drop, it will take longer to see a related drop in ICU admissions and deaths, as a patient remains in an ICU for 17 days on average.

Coronavirus ICU admissions rise slightly

Intensive Care Units admissions in Greece rose by slightly over 6 percent, said professor Gkikas Magiorkinis at the briefing, but active coronavirus infections in Greece appear to be stabilizing.

Magiorkinis called it however a “fragile stabilization”, using a similar description for the 5 pct reduction of the virus’ dispersal in Attica Region. A similar lowering trend is discernible in Thessaloniki, though infections registered a minor rise over the past 7 days, he added.

He also noted that the Health Ministry experts committee would be discussing lifting travelling discussion for the Greek Orthodox Easter (May 2) closer to the holidays.

Retail sector in Kozani reopens with restrictions

The retail sector in the region of Kozani will reopen on Monday April 19 for pick-up of online orders, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias announced at the briefing.

Meanwhile, the country’s driving schools will also reopen on Monday with restrictions, he added.

Driving theory courses and the relevant tests will be conducted online, while staff at drivign schools, including the examiners, will have to self-test twice per week on Mondays and Thursdays, added the minister. Candidates will have to self-test 24 hours ahead of their driving test.

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