Coronavirus: Number of Intubated Patients Dips in Greece

For the first time after 12 days, the intubated patients due to coronavirus in Greece fell below 800, according to the official data announced on Saturday by the National Organization of Public Health (EODY)

EODY announced that the number of intubated people amounts to 797.

Their median age is 68 years and 85.2 pct have an underlying condition and/or are aged 70 or more. Another 2,019 have been discharged from ICUs since the pandemic began.

In addition, 472 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospital in the last 24 hours (daily change of a +3.51 pct). The average admission of patients with Covid-19 to hospitals over the last 7 days was 474.

2,597 new coronavirus infections in Greece

Greece registered 2,597 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, with 6 of these identified at entry points to the country.

Greece has confirmed 331,730 infections from the start of the pandemic (daily change: +0.8 pct). In the confirmed cases of the last 7 days, 66 infections are related to travel from abroad and 3,219 to other confirmed cases.

There are also 86 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of pandemic victims to 9,950. Of these, 95.5 pct had an underlying condition and/or were 70 years old.

The median age of new infections is 44 years, while the median age of the deceased is 79.

Greece is “green” on coronavirus map

Greece appears to be performing well in terms of testing and positivity rates compared to the rest of Europe, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s (ECDC) weekly coronavirus map.

As shown in the maps, which are released each Thursday and outline the general epidemiological situation across Europe, Greece is performing in the top category in terms of testing and positivity rates.

Despite the country’s increased coronavirus numbers, Greece is one of the few “green” countries on the ECDC’s Covid-19 map, indicating a weekly positivity rate of under 4%.

Only a small number of countries, including Cyprus, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Ireland, and Iceland are completely “green.” Areas of Spain and Italy are also green.

The rest of Europe is “orange,” indicating that they had a weekly positivity rate over 4%.

Police enforcing lockdown prior to Easter

Police on Saturday intensified checks for compliance with pandemic travelling restrictions, at the tolls along the Athens-Corinth and Athens-Lamia national highways, and also at long-distance bus (KTEL) terminals.

The aim is to prevent movement from region to region in the run up to Orthodox Holy Week and Easter Weekend, which poses a risk of spreading the coronavirus to regional and rural communities.

Police will also have a strong presence on the side roads of highways, in order to intercept those trying to leave the capital to spend the Easter holidays in their villages. Those who do not have the necessary documents permitting travel will have to return.

Beyond Attica region, controls are strict throughout the country, as more than 10,000 police officers are taking part in enforcing Easter traffic and travelling measures nationwide, sources noted.