GREECE: Active cases 2,5% of the population

The evolution of the pandemic in Greece, the spread of cases and the pressure on the National Health System, were the subject of the official briefing that took place on Thursday afternoon, at the Ministry of Health.

The briefing was attended by the Deputy Minister of Health Mina Gaga, the Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and member of the Committee of Experts Vana Papaevangelou and the Assistant Professor of Epidemiology Gikas Majorkinis.

The Deputy Minister of Health referred to the epidemiological burden, which is highly concentrated in Attica, noting that more than 1/3 of the new infections are located in Athens. At the same time, Ms. Gaga said that the course of the cases shows a steady course at very high levels of infections.

For her part, Ms. Papaevangelou noted that almost 2,5% of the population of Greece are active cases.

Ms. Papaevangelou explained that the course of the pandemic in the country in the last period has two main characteristics. First, the movement of cases to older age groups and second, the spread of the Omicron mutation in other Peripheral Units other than large urban centers.

Regarding the pressure received by the National Health System, Ms. Papaevangelou noted that the coverage of Covid ICU beds is around 88%.

Referring to studies regarding the Omicron mutation, Ms. Papaevangelou noted that the data confirm the predictions for milder disease, while recording a significantly shorter period of hospitalization.

Mr Majorkinis noted that the death toll had risen by 10% in the past week, but also referred to a 30% increase in hospital discharges due to the milder disease from the Omicron mutation.