Τhe increase of cases but mainly for the increase in the number of patients hospitalized due to coronavirus has caused great concern, especially in view of the summer period, as there will be even greater relaxation of the measures.
In recent days, there has been a worrying increase in some indicators of the pandemic, such as the increase in hospitalizations by about 40% within a week. It seems that lately the sub-variants 4 and 5 of Omicron are proving to be extremely contagious.
Spike in viral load in sewage water
Presenting recent scientific data, professor of Analytical Chemistry at Athens University Nikos Thomaidis stated that “for the past ten days the increase in Attica’s sewage is 45%. He expressed the opinion that actual cases are many times more than reported, and that cases are expected to peak in the first ten days of July”, with August showing a second escalation.
Omicron subtypes 4 and 5 target lungs
The presence of Omicron 4 and Omicron 5 has been confirmed in Greece, and in the last week there was an increase of the specific sub-variations by 145%. Both Omicron 4 (BA.4) and Omicron 5 (BA.5) have been added to the list of monitored strains of the virus.
Forecasts for the next period
Anastasia Kotanidou, professor of Pulmonology and Intensive Care at the Medical School of EKPA and director of the ICU of Evangelismos Hospital, is optimistic that there will not be a large increase in the hard indicators of the pandemic, ie in intubated and deaths.
Ms. Kotanidou stressed that an increase in hospitalizations in the last 7 days has been observed in “Evangelismos” hospital, however it only concerns the simple beds, with the result that the situation is completely under control.
Alarm
Ms. Kotanidou, however, sounded the alarm, pointing out that although the measures have been relaxed throughout Europe, we should not forget some basic “informal rules”, which will not only protect us from the disease, but also from possible hospitalization.
- Avoid overcrowding, undergo frequent testing and use masks.
- Double precautions for the immunosuppressed, as the two new subtypes appear to be significantly escaping vaccines.
- Citizens should be in contact with their doctor about new treatments.
Latest News
EasyJet Expands Its Routes from Athens
The airline’s two new routes will be to London Luton and Alicante and they will commence in summer 2025.
Capital Link Forum Highlights Greece’s Economic Resurgence; Honors BoG Gov Stournaras
Capital Link Hellenic Leadership Award recipient, Bank of Greece Gov. Yannis Stournaras, an ex-FinMin, was lauded for his pivotal role during Greece’s economic recovery
Tourist Spending in Greece Up by 14%, Visa Card Analysis Shows
Greece’s capital Athens emerged as the most popular destination, recording a 17% increase in transactions with Visa cards, surpassing even the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos.
Inflation in Greece Unchanged at 2.4% in Nov. 2024
The general consumer price index (CPI) posted a 0.4% decrease in November compared to the previous month
2024 Christmas Holidays: Extended Shop Hours Schedule
The 2024 Christmas Holidays extended shop hours schedule commences on Thursday, December 12 and runs until the end of the year.
ELSTAT: Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Down in October
The number of employed individuals reached 4,284,694, an increase of 67,723 compared to October 2023 (+1.6%) and 22,002 compared to September 2024 (+0.5%).
Greek PM’s Chief Economic Adviser Resigns
In the post on his Facebook page, Patelis did not disclose the reasons that led him to step down.
“Masdar Invests in the people of Greece and in the vision of TERNA ENERGY”
Four messages from the CEO of Masdar, the Arab renewable energy giant, after its acquisition of 70% of TERNA ENERGY
Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards 2024: Honors for leading companies and personalities in the Greek shipping sector
20 awards presented at the 21st annual Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, His family Granted Asylum by Russia
Reuters also reported that a deal has been struck to ensure the safety of Russian military bases in the war-ravaged country