Authorities in the city of Serres in northern Greece hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic said Thursday scrap plans to set up Christmas decorations and a nativity scene this year to donate the money to the local hospital’s intensive care ward.
“We have decided to use the funds to pay for two additional ICU spaces, three medical monitors, and 1,000 protective suits for medical staff,” the mayor of Serres, Alekos Chrysafis, told The Associated Press.
City officials said they would announce further details of the donation to the state-run Serres General Hospital at a later date.
Cities in northern Greece have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. The daily number of cases in the country’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki, remains higher than those reported in greater Athens — an area with a population more than three times larger.
According to local media epiloges.gr, the Municipality of Serres has decided also a series of actions to support and strengthen vulnerable social groups, which are most affected by the pandemic.
“The donation to the Serres Hospital does not mean that the city will be left without light and color. The rich and beautiful decoration and lighting that we enjoyed last year will be there now, but our primary goal this year is to illuminate the hearts of the people,” the Mayor said during a press conference.
“Our Christmas tree will lit up again, just as the longing burns inside us to experience the celebration of Christmas with more optimism,” Chrysafi added.
Greece on Thursday extended a nationwide lockdown by another week, through Dec. 14.
