Greece’s health authorities announced 38 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday afternoon, increasing the total number to 228. Three patients dead, 5 patients intubated in hospitals ICU.
For 22 of the new cases the source of contamination was not identified, authorities tracking the patients’ contacts.
Majority of the coronavirus cases are in Athens.
8 patients were discharged from the hospital.
51% are over 65 years old.
3,400 tests have been conducted, so far.
All three fatalities are men aged 64, 66 and 90.
Among the new cases is a lawmaker of ruling party New Democracy and the President of the Medical School in Athens, reportedly also in charge of a clinic in Laiko public hospital that has been set on alert. Both men announced themselves. Positive retested is also the wife of the Government spokesman. Although, he was tested negative is in voluntary isolation.
Health authorities spokesman Sotiris Tsiodras announced new criteria for coronavirus tests. These will be conducted only to people already hospitalized, to those with pneumonia and to vulnerable groups.
Tsiodras said tests are not recommended to those with mild symptoms and those without symptoms.
According to the latest directive by the National Health Organization (EODDY), everyone with an acute lungs infection with the symptoms of cough, fever, breathing difficulty should be considered as potential COVID-19 case.
“Those with mild symptoms should not go to the hospitals or other health centers,” EODDY said in a statement issued later on Saturday.
As I have read the aim is to avoid contaminating hospital patients and medical personnel but this will also lead to wrong statistics. However, it should be noted that this method is followed also by national health care systems in other countries.
During the briefing, Tsiodras urged citizens to avoid congestion like in supermarkets on Saturday morning where thousands flocked for panic buying, after the government closed cafes, bars, restaurants, shopping malls, hairdressers salons and other facilities late on Friday.
“Supermarkets will never close,” Tsiodras said and underlined the “personal responsibility.”
Media speculate that working hours in supermarkets may be extended to avoid congestion, and that controlled entrance of customers may be imposed.
New directive orders no queues of more than 5 customers in a shop at the same time and a distance of 2 meters between them. Stricter are the rules for pharmacies, where no more than 2 customers at the same time are allowed.
Meanwhile, municipalities, tax offices, customs, police stations and customs officers can be visited after an appointment.
Utility companies for Water and Electricity urge their customers to avoid visiting branches and solve issues with other means without physical presence.
Dentists accept only emergencies, media report.
Flights to/from Italy have been suspended.
Despite all restrictive measures aiming to “protect the vulnerable groups,” as the government keeps saying, churches, mostly visited by elderly, are still open.
PS Interesting this morning in our neighborhood shops was that pharmacy customers strictly kept the rules, while in butcher’s and a small food store, the owners were struggling to keep the rules. Worth noting that men making family purchases were hardly to be tamed! They pushed and kept walking around highly nervous, and stood close in queues either in- or outside the shops. By all respect, I know that men have, of course, other much more important things to do in life, but… GIVE ME A BREAK!
