Two villages in the municipality of Vojo by Kastoria in northern Greece are to be declared in “state of emergency” after 16 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed on Monday morning. Greece’ Civil Protection reportedly took the decision, with several residents tested positive. The quarantine is expected to be imposed as of Monday noon.
According to state broadcaster ERT TV, among the new cases are two doctors, two nurses and other members of the local hospital.
The villages to be under quarantine are Damaskino and Dragasia in the municipality of Voio. Two men aged 54 and 90, from the area died over the weekend after infection with the virus. The 54-year-old was working in the Microbiology Department of Kastoria hospital.
According to latest information, police cars have been dispatched at the entrances of the two villages, access is allowed only to health teams and suppliers of logistics.
The Municipality of Voios issued a statement urging residents of the two villages and of the municipality in general to stay home and do not go out ‘unless there is serious reason. Supplies in food and medicines will be provided to the two villages via municipality vehicles, the statement said. The local authorities have launched support phone lines.
ERT reporter in the area, said that residents of the area were still out in groups over the weekend taking advantage of the sunny days.
The Municipality of Vios has 18,630 residents.
According to unconfirmed reports, in one of the villages 10 out of 60 residents have been tested positive to coronavirus.
Media report that health authorities are considering to impose quarantine in the whole Prefecture of Kastoria, after all local authorities have requested it.
Deputy Regional Govrenor of Kastoria, Dimitris Savvopoulos, said that this is being seriously considered in order to create the conditions for a slowdown in the spread of the virus.”
Savvopoulos and the Mayor of Kastoria, Yiannis Korentzidis, expressed their concern that the general hospital of Kastoria as “several cases of coronavirus are among doctor and nurses.”
The city of Kastoria has a population of 42,000, many of them are elderly.
It seems as if latest preparations are under way for the quarantine in the two villages, the official announcement by the Greek Health Ministry is expected.
According to official data released on Sunday afternoon (March 15), Greece has 331 confirmed cases and 4 deaths.
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