Greek health authorities confirmed the 10. case of coronavirus infection on Thursday morning. The affected patient is the wife of the 67-yea-old man (9. case) currently in isolation in the designated public hospital in Patras, West Peloponnese.
Also the wife was in the trip to Israel and Egypt. The woman was “house isolation” since Wednesday, she is currently transferred to the Rio hospital in Patras. She reportedly has “mild symptoms.”
The couple’s daughter has been tested negative to the coronavirus, media report.
The man’s condition is described as “serious” but “controlled,” he is treated for severe pneumonia. He was high-risk patient due to heart problems and other health issues.
As the man had contacts to an unknown large number of people both in his social life and the two hospitals he visited before he was tested positive, health authorities are on high alert about more possible cases and take additional protection measures.
The Ophthalmological Clinic of the Patras hospital is reportedly sending patients away, in order to prepare patients’ wards in “isolation rooms” for coronavirus cases.
The hospital has cancelled “on duty services,” patients have to visit Agios Andreas hospital.
The 69-year-old man was admitted into a regular room when he visited the hospital on Monday, March 2. When he did not respond to the treatment for “respiratory infection”, a blood sample was sent for coronavirus test on Tuesday. He was confirmed positive on Wednesday.
The University hospital in Patras and the hospital in Amaliada have reportedly sent more than 30 doctors, nurses and other personnel are in “house isolation.” According to state broadcaster ERT TV, the patient came in contact with several doctors, nurses, stretcher carriers, medical school students and also visited a few departments for medical tests.
All 53-copassengers the group with which he traveled abroad, are to be tested, many have already sought the hospital by themselves.
The risk of high spread in the area has forced the country’s health authorities to impose “preventive emergency measures” against the coronavirus for the prefectures of Achaia and Ilia, in Peloponnese, as well as for the island of Zakynthos.
Four Zakunthos residents were co-passengers of the man in the trip abroad.
The measures are in effect initially for March 5 and 6, after the 48 hours health authorities will reassess the situation and decide accordingly.
Upon his arrival from abroad, the man reportedly stayed in his hometown Amaliada for five days and before the symptoms appeared.
Authorities are still trying to trace the man’s contacts.
He is the only patient in Greece that had no connection with Italy, as the other 8 confirmed cases do.
