For the first time since the outbreak of coronavirus in Greece, no new COVID-19 related death has been recorded in the last 24 hours. The number of new confirmed cases was 7 from Tuesday to Wednesday with the total number of infections to stand at 2,408.
Death toll remains at 121.
The number of patients intubated in hospital Intensive Care Units is 55. The number of patients discharged form ICUs so far is 51.
The results of 177 samples taken from residents in Kranidi, eastern Peloponnese, are expected on Thursday morning. The testing became essential after 148 asylum-seekers in a hotel turned into accommodation structure were tested positive.
“Yes, we have managed it,” said Sotiris Tsiodras, spokesman of Greece ‘s National Heath Organization and Professor for Infectious Diseases. at the daily briefing. “the virus is on descending course,” he said.
“We will be gradually exposed to the virus. We avoided to get sick all together and to see a tragic pressure on the health system, as seen in other countries,” he added.
Speaking about the meeting of the country’s top experts on the pandemic and the next steps, Tsiodras said that there is serious consideration for the use of mask in closed spaces.
“The use of fabric masks by the general population and special groups of the population in the phase of gradual and controlled lifting of measures was discussed. The committee has seriously discussed the possibility of using the masks, which will be used as a recommendation during this period, according to ECDC instructions, in closed areas and this will be done with special recognition of the risks and the safety illussion that may arise from the mass use of masks and, of course, after special training,” Tsiodras said adding that “special instructions will follow in the next two days.”
He stressed that social distancing and other measures have to be kept despite the good results.
He added that quick antibody tests were under consideration as well and that they would be used in such a way to avoid phenomena of being used in the wrong way as in other countries.
Head of Greece ‘s Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias reiterated that “restrictions are full in effect until April 27, without that this means that they will be lifted on April 28 and we will return to our normal lives.”
The lifting of the measures will be gradual, he stressed.
Both Tsiodras and Hardalias stressed that the restrictions imposed by the government and the compliance by the majority of citizens, have contributed to containing the pandemic. Preventing backsliding was important, they said.
