The next 10 days will be decisive and show whether the measures taken in Greece are able to stop the spread of coronavirus, said pathologist-infectious diseases professor and director of the Pathology-Infectious Disease Clinic at the Athens Medical Center, Panagiotis Gargalianos.
“Day by day the situation is changing. So far, the data we have shown that the measures are starting to have an effect, but the proof will come next week,” Gargalianos said.
He pointed out that because there is currently no proven cure for Covid-19 infection, precautionary measures and social distancing are of the utmost importance, as is individual responsibility by each citizen, to make the epidemic less severe.
He stressed that public and private-sector health systems are called upon to play an important role in tackling the pandemic without the social fabric breaking down and the health system collapsing. He also underlined that the time has come to use the new “weapons” provided by technology to help manage the crisis and to emerge unscathed.
The coronavirus pandemic first appeared in Greece on 26 February 2020. Initial cases related to people who had traveled to Italy, a group of pilgrims who had returned from Israel and Egypt as well as their contacts.
As of March 26, 2020, there have been 892 confirmed cases, 42 recoveries and 27 deaths.
Following a series of closures and banning of private and business activities after the third confirmed case, the government imposed a lockdown on March 23 and citizens are allowed to exit their homes only for six essential reasons.
More on coronavirus in Greece and lockdown measures here
