Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jul 17, 2024 21:33:42 GMT
Holidaymakers jetting off to Greece this summer issued urgent warning over Covid variant - Published July 15, 2024
Holidaymakers jetting off to Greece this summer are being urged to mask up amid fears of a new Covid variant in the country.
The Metaxa Oncology Hospital in Piraeus has confirmed that from July 15 it will be implementing strict protective measures against Covid-19 for the next 15 days.
Greece is currently grappling with a surge in Covid-19 cases due to a new variant named FLiRT. This was confirmed by Professor Gikas Magiorkinis, an expert in hygiene and epidemiology at the University of Athens, during an interview with Skai TV.
The FLiRT variant first appeared in Greece around two weeks ago, leading to a noticeable uptick in infections and hospital admissions. However, despite the increase in cases, Professor Magiorkinis has reassured the public that this variant does not cause severe disease. Lmao they're just lying at this point...
Health authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation to manage the spread of the FLiRT variant. Throughout the pandemic, Greece has seen fluctuating infection rates, resulting in periodic waves and varying degrees of restrictions.
The Director of Metaxa Hospital, Sarantos Efstathopoulos, has announced a series of measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 within the hospital. These include mandatory mask-wearing in all indoor areas, particularly patient wards, and strict adherence to hygiene protocols such as hand washing, reports Birmingham Live, reports the Irish Mirror.
New rules issued by the nursing service mean each patient will be limited to two visitors at Greece's Metaxas Hospital. In addition, a pass system will be brought in to stop them being at the patient's bedside at the same time.
Visitors and outpatients will also have to show a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours. Staff who experience symptoms will also be subjected to a rapid test.
Speaking to local media, a hospital spokesperson said: "I am asking for the cooperation of the relevant departments and departments for the immediate implementation of the above-mentioned measures and the correct information of the staff, patients and their companions, through the distribution of an information sheet on the portal, in the clinics and outpatient clinics, as well as through the website of the Metaxas Hospital."
The measures will be reviewed at the end of the month depending on infection rates. The move comes amidst a warning from health chiefs that Greece's Covid outbreak will likely last until the end of July, with vulnerable people most at risk.
EINAP President Matina Pagoni has sounded the alarm as the summer season unfolds, cautioning: "It's summer, we're going on vacation, we never said the coronavirus was gone. The truth is that this year, compared to last year, the cases have nothing to do with it. There are too many, there are many hospitalizations and also deaths. 21-22 deaths are too many. It will be until the end of July or so the flare-up".
She also offered advice to those with underlying health issues: "This way they will prevent complications and hospitalizations. These groups should wear their masks when they go out in closed spaces and there is crowding."
In a related development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its concern over the persistent threat posed by Covid-19, which still causes around 1,700 deaths weekly worldwide. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out concerning patterns during a press conference in Geneva, stating: "data show that vaccination coverage has declined among health workers and citizens over 60, two of the most at-risk groups," and stressed the need for vaccinations for those at high risk, advising: "The World Health Organization recommends that those in high-risk groups be vaccinated against Covid-19 within 12 months of the last dose administered to them."
Holidaymakers jetting off to Greece this summer are being urged to mask up amid fears of a new Covid variant in the country.
The Metaxa Oncology Hospital in Piraeus has confirmed that from July 15 it will be implementing strict protective measures against Covid-19 for the next 15 days.
Greece is currently grappling with a surge in Covid-19 cases due to a new variant named FLiRT. This was confirmed by Professor Gikas Magiorkinis, an expert in hygiene and epidemiology at the University of Athens, during an interview with Skai TV.
The FLiRT variant first appeared in Greece around two weeks ago, leading to a noticeable uptick in infections and hospital admissions. However, despite the increase in cases, Professor Magiorkinis has reassured the public that this variant does not cause severe disease. Lmao they're just lying at this point...
Health authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation to manage the spread of the FLiRT variant. Throughout the pandemic, Greece has seen fluctuating infection rates, resulting in periodic waves and varying degrees of restrictions.
The Director of Metaxa Hospital, Sarantos Efstathopoulos, has announced a series of measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 within the hospital. These include mandatory mask-wearing in all indoor areas, particularly patient wards, and strict adherence to hygiene protocols such as hand washing, reports Birmingham Live, reports the Irish Mirror.
New rules issued by the nursing service mean each patient will be limited to two visitors at Greece's Metaxas Hospital. In addition, a pass system will be brought in to stop them being at the patient's bedside at the same time.
Visitors and outpatients will also have to show a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours. Staff who experience symptoms will also be subjected to a rapid test.
Speaking to local media, a hospital spokesperson said: "I am asking for the cooperation of the relevant departments and departments for the immediate implementation of the above-mentioned measures and the correct information of the staff, patients and their companions, through the distribution of an information sheet on the portal, in the clinics and outpatient clinics, as well as through the website of the Metaxas Hospital."
The measures will be reviewed at the end of the month depending on infection rates. The move comes amidst a warning from health chiefs that Greece's Covid outbreak will likely last until the end of July, with vulnerable people most at risk.
EINAP President Matina Pagoni has sounded the alarm as the summer season unfolds, cautioning: "It's summer, we're going on vacation, we never said the coronavirus was gone. The truth is that this year, compared to last year, the cases have nothing to do with it. There are too many, there are many hospitalizations and also deaths. 21-22 deaths are too many. It will be until the end of July or so the flare-up".
She also offered advice to those with underlying health issues: "This way they will prevent complications and hospitalizations. These groups should wear their masks when they go out in closed spaces and there is crowding."
In a related development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its concern over the persistent threat posed by Covid-19, which still causes around 1,700 deaths weekly worldwide. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out concerning patterns during a press conference in Geneva, stating: "data show that vaccination coverage has declined among health workers and citizens over 60, two of the most at-risk groups," and stressed the need for vaccinations for those at high risk, advising: "The World Health Organization recommends that those in high-risk groups be vaccinated against Covid-19 within 12 months of the last dose administered to them."