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Stabilizing trends are registered in Attica and Thessaloniki, but not the desired net reduction of the epidemic wave, which remains extremely strong, especially in northern Greece, despite the implementation of restrictive measures, which raises concern, especially in the face of the suffocating pressure that will continue. for at least two more weeks to receive the SSN called to manage an increasing number of intubated.
Today’s announcement in the Ministry of Health about the coronavirus pandemic came against the background of the negative “twin” record in intubated patients and deaths, and people struggling to stay alive now number 519 (up by 20 compared with Thursday), and those that finished in the last 24 hours amount to 72 – a total of 1,419 since the start of the pandemic coronavirus.
The total number of cases amounted to 2,581 “returning” to the levels prior to the last two days, where it had once again exceeded the limit of 3,000. In Attica, 582 cases were recorded and 673 in Thessaloniki, while the number of newly diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease is cause for concern. in Imathia (112), Larissa (105), Magnesia (108) and Pella (107).
“Patience is needed because the health system will continue to pressure for at least one or two weeks even if the number of intubated patients increases,” said during the periodic briefing the professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases of the EKPA School of Medicine and member of the Committee of Experts of the Ministry of Health. Vana Papaevangelou.
At the same time, he called on all citizens in all shades to strictly follow the implementation of the measures, characteristically saying that “if we had six bullets in front of us instead of the invisible coronavirus, we would not seek to slip.”
Ms. Papaevangelou stressed that in the last week there has been a small but steady increase in the average age of new cases, which is currently estimated at 45 years in the territory. No one is invulnerable, he said, referring to 90-year-olds who are asymptomatic and 40-year-olds who are seriously ill.
He noted that efforts are being made to increase the number of tests performed to identify asymptomatic carriers, who play a key role in the spread of the disease.
“It just came to our knowledge then the unclear reduction of the epidemic wave three weeks after the blockade northern Greece and two weeks after the implementation of horizontal measures across Greece, “he said, adding that based on the experience of last spring,” one would expect a major recession, “which he attributed to a factor that coexisted with the increase in the epidemiological burden, making the problem extremely complex and complicated.
In this sense, he explained that the criterion is not only the daily number of cases, since we are both encouraged and disappointed. EODY analyzes the change in the average epidemiological burden on a weekly basis, and what this week’s data shows is that there is a stabilization trend but the country remains in a high epidemiological burden, while in Thessaly there are increasing trends.
Clearer picture next week
Both Mrs. Papaevangelou and the assistant professor of the EKPA Faculty of Medicine Gikas Majorkinis, “Showed” in the next week to get a better picture of the real epidemiological data – which will depend on the initiation or not of discussions on the gradual elimination of restrictive measures, as noted the Vice Minister of Civil Protection Nikos Hardalias.
Majorkinis said that the coronavirus “uses the structure of the Greek family as a vehicle” and that the spread remains within families, calling for the protection of the elderly, while emphasizing that their role in the spread of the pandemic are secondary : the infections predominate towards them and not towards them.
Regarding the situation in Thessaloniki, he said that compared to Attica, it maintains more than five times the epidemic burden, indicative of the high intensity of the over-transmission that it experienced in mid and late October. Now the Rt index appears to be approaching Attica levels with a forecast of further contraction.
Most diagnoses is located outside of Attica and Thessaloniki, with the epidemiological burden that continues to be heavy in the north of the country with local elements.
Sirs. Papaevangelou and Majorkinis also referred to vaccines, and the Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases noted that based on the data so far, they have a completely acceptable safety profile and only through mass vaccination will the herd be immune.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Vassilis Kontozamanis, affirmed, when asked about it, during the information that 224 health workers in Attica currently suffer from coronavirus and are out of service, noting that tests will be carried out from now on. of coronavirus more regularly. Healthcare professionals.
Regarding the key issue of the closure of private clinics in Thessaloniki, Mr. Kontozamanis He said that it was already planned from the first wave of the pandemic to handle the situation, it is one of the last weapons against the pandemic, but after a disagreement with private clinics, the measure was activated.
Regarding, finally, the possibility of requesting doctors if the conditions of the requirements, if there is no voluntary assistance as in the cases of nursing personnel, Mr. Kontozamanis did not rule it out. He said that there is already an invitation to private doctors to join forces with the NSS in specific specialties where there is a need, “and if necessary, the law gives us the tool, we will proceed with the appointment of doctors.”
