Coronavirus: 209 New Cases Today; Stricter Emergency Measures in Karditsa, Pella and Pieria

On Friday Greek health authorities reported that there were a total of 209 new infections of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours; there were three deaths associated with the virus in the last day as well.
This brings the total number of fatalities in Greece to 238 since the beginning of the pandemic. Eighty-three, or 34.9%, of these individuals were female. The median age of all those in Greece who passed away with the virus was 77 years; 94.5% of them suffered from an underlying disease and/or were age 70 and over.
The total number of cases in Greece since the beginning of the pandemic, including all those who have recovered from the disease, is 8,138, of which just over half, or 55.2%, are male.
Less than one quarter, or 1,802 of these cases, are considered related to travel from abroad and 3,752, or 46.1% are related to an already-known case, according to the EODY.
It was reported earlier on Friday that a 68-year-old man had passed away with the virus at Sotiria Hospital; however, his death is expected to be counted in tomorrow’s report from the EODY.
Of today’s 209 cases, only 11 were identified as a result of checks at the country’s gateways and entrance points.
Twenty-eight Greek citizens, with an average age of 68 years, are currently being treated by intubation. Six (one fewer than yesterday) are female. Just under half of them, or 46.4%, have an underlying disease or are aged 70 and over.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, a total of 143 patients have been successfully discharged from ICUs across the country.
Number of Nursing Home Cases Rising
Four new cases of the coronavirus were reported at Estia Papageorgiou Nursing Home in Thessaloniki on Friday following a second round of testing. The first round had uncovered a total of fifteen positive cases in the residents of the home as well as seven cases among the staff who work at the facility.
This follows the earlier deaths of six patients who had lived at the Asvestochori Nursing Home.
The four Estia Papageorgiou patients have already been transferred to a Thessaloniki hospital after displaying low fevers and other symptoms of Covid-19, which were described as “mild.”
The seven nursing home workers, who are also said to be experiencing mild symptoms, have been placed into home quarantine.
The August 20 outbreak, in a retirement home in Asvestochori, a small town on the outskirts of Thessaloniki, was the first such incident at any nursing home in Greece since the beginning of the pandemic.
A total of 42 residents and three staff members were found positive for Covid-19​​​​​​ in that investigation.
Stricter Coronavirus measures imposed in Karditsa, Pella and Pieria
Enhanced coronavirus-fighting measures in the areas of Karditsa, Pell and Pieria include a ban on the operation of restaurants, bars and all entertainment venues from midnight to 7 AM and the limit of 50 people for social events.
Deputy Minister of Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias, Secretary General of Civil Protection Vassilios Papageorgiou, jointly made the decision to impose the stricter measures in these areas after reviewing the most current epidemiological data.
The limit of 50 attendees at events will be in force except for areas to which special rules apply, such as in restaurants, theaters, and cinemas.
Additionally, all employment contracts for affected employees in these sectors may be suspended per this decision, which was made in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.
These new, tougher restrictions will be valid for ten days, beginning at 6 AM Saturday, August 22, and ending on Tuesday, September 1 at 6 AM.
These enhanced coronavirus-fighting measures are similar to those already in effect on the islands of Crete and Corfu, as well as the regions of Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Attica, Thessaloniki, Larissa and Corfu.
The municipalities of Santorini, Volos, Katerini, Rhodes, Zakynthos and Kos are also operating under such measures.