2020 coronavirus pandemic in Greece

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2020 coronavirus pandemic in Greece
COVID-19 Outbreak Cases in Greece per regional unit (prefecture).svg
Map of regional units with confirmed (red) or suspected (blue) coronavirus cases (as of 10 March)
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationGreece
First caseThessaloniki
Arrival date26 February 2020
(3 weeks)
OriginMilan, Italy
Confirmed cases387
Recovered14
Deaths
5

The 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic first appeared in Greece on 26 February 2020. Initial cases related to people who had traveled to Italy, but most of the more recent cases concern a group of pilgrims who had traveled to Israel and Egypt, as well as their contacts. As of 17 March 2020, there have been 228 confirmed cases, 10 recoveries and 4 deaths. Health authorities recommend travelers who have returned from affected areas or people who have been in contact with them to stay home for a minimum of 14 days. It may take 2-14 days for symptoms to appear after initial exposure to the virus. Thirteen reporting hospitals have been designated to deal with cases. The main affected area is Ilia and Attica while outbreaks are also found in Zakynthos, Achaia, Thessaloniki, Euboea, Kozani, Kastoria, Heraklion, Ioannina, Larisa and Pieria.

Health and state authorities have issued precautionary guidelines and have suspended festive events and large gatherings, as well as the operation of educational institutions of all levels, initially in the affected areas and then nationwide. On 13 March, it was decided to extend the measures and close down all museums, malls, cafes, restaurants and sports facilities, due to the outbreak of the virus in different parts of the country and due to non-compliance by citizens regarding the restrictive measures.

Timeline[edit]

February[edit]

  • As of 26 February, the first case in Greece was confirmed. A 38-year-old woman from Thessaloniki, who had recently visited Milan, Νorthern Italy, tested positive and was admitted to the AHEPA University Hospital. Her family, as well as those who came into contact with her, voluntarily isolated themselves.[1]
  • On 27 February, two more cases in Greece were confirmed. The woman's nine-year-old child tested positive and was admitted to the same hospital as her mother.[2] Additionally, a forty-year-old woman who had travelled to Italy, also tested positive and was admitted to the Attikon University General Hospital.[3][4][5][6] Following the confirmation of the second and third cases in Greece, it was announced that the 105th Primary School of Thessaloniki, where the first patient's daughter went to school, would close for fourteen days. The Minister of Health, Vasilis Kikilias, announced that all carnival events were cancelled throughout Greece.[4][7][3]
  • On 28 February, the fourth case in Greece was confirmed. A 36-year-old woman from Athens who had recently traveled to Italy tested positive and was admitted to the Attikon University General Hospital.[8][2] Eight state schools were closed as a precautionary measure in Attica to prevent the spread of the virus, and all educational travel abroad sponsored by Greek schools was halted.[9]
  • On 29 February, three more cases in Greece were confirmed. A friend of the 38-year-old woman who was the first case in Greece, was admitted to the AHEPA University Hospital.[10] Additionally, two more people in Athens were admitted to the General Hospital Sotiria, bringing the country total to seven confirmed cases.[11]

March[edit]

  • On 4 March, two more cases in Greece were confirmed. A middle-aged man in close contact with the fifth confirmed case, tested positive and remains in solitary confinement at AHEPA University Hospital.[12] Additionally, a man who had traveled to Israel and Egypt, was admitted to the General University Hospital of Patras, bringing the country total to nine confirmed cases.[13]
  • On 5 March, 22 more cases in Greece were confirmed. The 66-year-old wife, who was the ninth case in Greece, tested positive and was admitted to the same hospital as her husband.[14] 21 of their fellow travelers also tested positive, bringing the country total to 31 cases.[15]
  • On 6 March, fourteen more cases in Greece we confirmed. Eleven members of the Israel-Egypt travel group, as well as three people who afterwards came in contact with them, tested positive, bringing the country total to 45 confirmed cases. Schools, universities, theaters and cinemas will remain closed until 22 March in three of the affected areas (Achaia, Ileia and Zakynthos). Until then, sports games in these areas will be taking place without any spectators.[16]
  • On 7 March 21 more cases in Greece were confirmed. Thirteen people in Achaia and Ileia, seven in Attica and one in Euboea tested positive, bringing the country total to 66 confirmed cases.[17]
  • On 8 March, seven more cases in Greece were confirmed, bringing the country total to 73.[18]
  • On 9 March, eleven more cases in Greece were confirmed, bringing the country total to 84.[19] Among those cases was the first one to be reported in Lesbos, raising fears that the virus could spread to the island's tightly packed refugee camps.[20]
  • On 10 March, Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of the football clubs Olympiacos in Greece and Nottingham Forest in England, informed the public via social media that he had contracted the virus, and urged all to follow the orders of health professionals.[21] Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias announced the closure of all educational institutions for 14 days.[22]
  • On 11 March, ten more cases in Greece were confirmed, bringing the country total to 99. The 66-year-old man hospitalised in Rio is diagnosed with multi organ dysfunction syndrome.[23]
  • On 12 March, the 66-year-old patient in Rio succumbed to the disease, resulting in the first virus-related death in Greece.[24] 18 more cases were confirmed, bringing the country total to 117[25]. The first two reported cases in Greece, a mother and her child, were released from the hospital, having fully recovered.[26]
  • On March 14, A 90-year-old man hospitalised in Ptolemaida died. [30] Also, a 67-year-old man hospitalised in Zakynthos died.[31] 38 more cases were confirmed bringing the total to 228, while 6 more recovered bringing the total to 8.[32] On March 14, testing strategy shifted to only elderly, severely ill, and healthcare personnel. It is announced by Dr. S. Tsiodras in EODY Press Release[33]
  • On March 15, a 53-year-old man died from the virus, during his hospitalization in AHEPA. This was the fourth death overall in Greece.[34] 103 more cases were confirmed bringing the total to 331.[35]
  • On March 16, 21 more cases were confirmed bringing the total to 352. [36]
  • On March 17, 1 man died and 35 new cases were confirmed bringing the total to 387.[37]
COVID-19 cases in Greece  (
)
     Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases
Date
# of cases
2020-02-26
​
​
​
​
​
 4(n.a.)
2020-02-27
​
​
​
​
​
 5(+25%)
2020-02-28
​
​
​
​
​
 7(+40%)
2020-02-29
​
​
​
​
​
 8(+14%)
2020-03-01
​
​
​
​
​
 9(+13%)
2020-03-02
​
​
​
​
​
 9(=)
2020-03-03
​
​
​
​
​
 9(=)
2020-03-04
​
​
​
​
​
 11(+22%)
2020-03-05
​
​
​
​
​
 31(+182%)
2020-03-06
​
​
​
​
​
 46(+48%)
2020-03-07
​
​
​
​
​
 66(+43%)
2020-03-08
​
​
​
​
​
 73(+11%)
2020-03-09
​
​
​
​
​
 84(+12%)
2020-03-10
​
​
​
​
​
 89(+6%)
2020-03-11
​
​
​
​
​
 99(+11%)
2020-03-12
​
​
​
​
​
 117(+18%)
2020-03-13
​
​
​
​
​
 190(+62%)
2020-03-14
​
​
​
​
​
 228(+20%)
2020-03-15
​
​
​
​
​
 331(+46%)
2020-03-16
​
​
​
​
​
 352(+7%)
2020-03-17
​
​
​
​
​
 387(+10%)
Sources:


Response measures[edit]

Cell Broadcast Message sent on all smartphones in Greece on March 11 by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, with general instructions regarding the pandemic

The Greek Government announced the following measures:[19]

  • Nationwide suspension of the operation of all Open Care Centers for the Elderly for four weeks
  • No conference to be held in the country for four weeks
  • On March 1, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece would not be accepting any new asylum applications for 1 month.[38]
  • On March 9, all school trips were banned, all sports games were to be played with no fans attending and all school championships were cancelled.[39]
  • Starting on March 10, the educational institutions of all levels were closed for 14 days.[40]
  • On 12 March, a two-week closure of all theatres, courthouses, cinemas, gyms, playgrounds and clubs was announced.[41]
  • On 13 March, the nationwide closure of all museums and archaeological sites, as well as all malls, cafes, restaurants, bars and food outlets, excluding supermarkets, pharmacies and food outlets that offer take-away and delivery only, was announced.[42]
  • On 14 March, all organized beaches and ski resorts were closed.[43] All air traffic with Italy was banned.[44]
  • On 16 March, Greece closed its borders with Albania and North Macedonia, deciding to suspend all road, sea and air links with these countries, while only permitting the transportation of goods and the entry of Greek nationals and residents. The suspension of ferry services to and from Italy, air links to Spain, as well as the prohibition of all cruise ships and sailboats docking in Greek ports was also decided.[45] On the same day, two villages in Western Macedonia, Damaskinia and Dragasia, were quarantined after several cases among their residents were confirmed. The entry and exit to and from the villages was banned, allowing only medical staff and municipal staff to supply them with drugs and food.[46]

Religious debate[edit]

In the initial stages of the coronovirus outbreak, the Church of Greece had announced that the Holy Communion would continue as a practice.[47] Initially, the Holy Synod had defended the practice of the Holy Communion, with Metropolitan Seraphim saying that the wine was without blemish because it represented the blood and body of Christ.[47][48]

The Church's stance prompted criticism from the opposition Syriza party, with left-wing former prime minister Alexis Tsipras criticising the church stance, as did former health minister Pavlos Polakis.[49] In a statement in early March 2020, the governing Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece advised sick worshippers to temporarily avoid crowds and close contact with others.[49]

Some high-profile Greek medical doctors publicly supported the continuation of practicing Holy Communion, drawing criticism from the Greek Association of Hospital Doctors.[50] (Greek: Ομοσπονδία Ενώσεων Νοσοκομειακών Γιατρών Ελλάδος (OENGE)).

On 11 March, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in a nationally televised address, told the public to follow the instructions of doctors and experts, and the Church of Greece to cooperate in enforcing the public health regulations.[51] Two days later, the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Ieronymos stated that the Church agrees with and implements the public health precautionary measures taken by the competent national authorities.[52] Furthermore, on 16 March, after being briefed by infectious disease spokesman Sotiris Tsiodras, the Greek Orthodox Church announced a change in policy, suspending all daily services and sacraments; churches were to remain open for private prayer. Weddings and baptisms were indefinitely suspended, funerals are only held for the immediate family, and Sunday services are open March 22 - April 11, but are cut short.[53]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Greece confirms first coronavirus case". Reuters. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b IEFIMERIDA.GR, NEWSROOM (27 February 2020). "Κορωνοϊός: Δεύτερο θετικό κρούσμα στην Ελλάδα -Το παιδί της 38χρονης | ΕΛΛΑΔΑ". iefimerida.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  3. ^ a b IEFIMERIDA.GR, NEWSROOM (27 February 2020). "Κορωνοϊός: Στην Αθήνα το τρίτο κρούσμα -Ακυρώνονται όλα τα καρναβάλια στη χώρα | ΕΛΛΑΔΑ". iefimerida.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Κορονοϊός: τρία κρούσματα στην Ελλάδα - Ακυρώνονται οι εκδηλώσεις για το Καρναβάλι σε όλη τη χώρα". antenna.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Greece reports two new coronavirus cases, cancels carnival". Reuters. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Κορονοϊός στην Αθήνα: Γυναίκα, σύζυγος στελέχους ναυτιλιακής το πρώτο κρούσμα - Νοσηλεύεται στο Αττικό". www.news247.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  7. ^ Newsroom (26 February 2020). "Ο κοροναϊός έφτασε στην Ελλάδα: Πρώτο επιβεβαιωμένο κρούσμα στη Θεσσαλονίκη". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Κορονοϊός: Τέταρτο κρούσμα - Καθηγήτρια 36 ετών στην Αθήνα". News247 (in Greek). 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  9. ^ "4 confirmed coronavirus cases in Greece and 8 schools closed in Attica". Tornos News. 28 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Κορωνοϊός: Πέμπτο κρούσμα στην Ελλάδα". iefimerida (in Greek). 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Ανεβαίνει ο αριθμός: Επτά τα κρούσματα του κοροναϊού στην Ελλάδα". www.gazzetta.gr (in Greek).
  12. ^ "Ογδοο κρούσμα του ιού στην Ελλάδα". www.euro2day.gr (in Greek).
  13. ^ "Κοροναϊός: Ένατο επιβεβαιωμένο κρούσμα στην Πάτρα". www.onmed.gr (in Greek).
  14. ^ "Κορονοϊος: Στην Πάτρα και το δέκατο κρούσμα - Πρόκειται για τη σύζυγο του 66χρονου". www.news247.gr (in Greek).
  15. ^ Newsroom (5 March 2020). "Κορωνοϊός στην Ελλάδα: Στα 31 τα κρούσματα του ιού - 21 νέα". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  16. ^ "Κορονοϊός: 14 ακόμα κρούσματα στην Ελλάδα!". NewsIt (in Greek). 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  17. ^ "Κορωνοϊός: 21 νέα κρούσματα - Στους 66 συνολικά οι ασθενείς". kathimerini (in Greek). 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  18. ^ "Κοροναϊός : 73 κρούσματα - Κεκλεισμένων των θυρών οι αθλητικές εκδηλώσεις". in.gr (in Greek). 8 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Κορωνοϊός: 11 νέα κρούσματα -Μείνετε σπίτι σας, λέει ο Κικίλιας στις ευπαθείς ομάδες". iefimerida.gr (in Greek). 9 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  20. ^ "First coronavirus case on Greek island filled with migrants". 9 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Olympiacos: Vangelis Marinakis diagnosed with coronavirus". Greek City Times. 10 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Κορωνοϊός: Κλείνουν όλα τα σχολεία και τα πανεπιστήμια της χώρας". CNN.gr. 10 March 2020.
  23. ^ Κορωνοϊός: 99 τα κρούσματα στην Ελλάδα -Ακυρώνονται οι παρελάσεις Coronavirus: 99 cases in Greece - Parades canceled, www.iefimerida.gr, accessed 12 March 2020
  24. ^ "Ανακοίνωση του πρώτου θανάτου από τον SARS-CoV-2". Ministry of Health. 12 March 2020.
  25. ^ https://www.skai.gr/index.php/news/greece/koronoios-18-nea-krousmata-stin-ellada-117-synolika
  26. ^ "Greek coronavirus cases rise to 117; two released from hospital". ekathimerini-com. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Greece's first female president is sworn in". ABC News. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  28. ^ ["Greece Swears in First Female President, No Handshakes Amid Coronavirus" Check |url= value (help). US News. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Κορωνοϊός: 190 τα κρούσματα στην Ελλάδα - 5 διασωληνωμένοι - 11 τα «ορφανά»". ΣΚΑΪ (in Greek). Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  30. ^ Newsroom (14 March 2020). "Κορωνοϊός: Και δεύτερος νεκρός από τον ιό". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  31. ^ Newsroom. "Κορονοϊός: Τρίτος νεκρός στην Ελλάδα". Newsbomb (in Greek). Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  32. ^ Newsroom (14 March 2020). "Κορωνοϊός: 38 νέα κρούσματα - Τα περισσότερα στην Αθήνα". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  33. ^ "Ενημέρωση διαπιστευμένων συντακτών Υγείας από τον εκπρόσωπο του Υπουργείου Υγείας για το νέο κορωνοϊό Καθηγητή Σωτήρη Τσιόδρα". Εθνικός Οργανισμός Δημόσιας Υγείας (in Greek). 14 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  34. ^ "Κορονοϊός: Τέταρτος νεκρός στην Ελλάδα, ένας 53χρονος στο ΑΧΕΠΑ". www.news247.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  35. ^ Newsroom (15 March 2020). "Κορωνοϊός: 103 νέα κρούσματα στην Ελλάδα - Στα 331 συνολικά". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  36. ^ Newsroom (16 March 2020). "Κορωνοϊός: 21 νέα κρούσματα στην Ελλάδα - 352 συνολικά". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  37. ^ Newsroom (17 March 2020). "Κορωνοϊός: Στους πέντε οι νεκροί στην Ελλάδα - Στα 387 τα κρούσματα". CNN.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  38. ^ Template:Cite url=https://twitter.com/PrimeministerGR/status/1234192922813267976
  39. ^ "Κορονοϊός στην Ελλάδα: Επτά νέα κρούσματα - Στους 73 οι ασθενείς που νοσούν". ieidiseis (in Greek). 8 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  40. ^ "ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑΣ & ΘΡΗΣΚΕΥΜΑΤΩΝ - 10-03-20 Προσωρινή απαγόρευση της εκπαιδευτικής λειτουργίας όλων των εκπαιδευτικών δομών". Υπουργείο Παιδείας και Θρησκευμάτων (in Greek). 10 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  41. ^ "Εκτακτα μέτρα: Κλείνουν κινηματογράφοι, θέατρα και κέντρα διασκέδασης". tanea.gr (in Greek). 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  42. ^ "Malls, cafes, bars, eateries to close as coronavirus cases rise to 190". ekathimerini.com. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  43. ^ "Κορονοϊός: Κλείνουν παραλίες και χιονοδρομικά με εντολή Μητσοτάκη". Έθνος (in Greek). 14 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  44. ^ "Greece reports two more coronavirus fatalities, bans all flights to Italy". Reuters. 14 March 2020.
  45. ^ "Εκτακτα μέτρα - Κορονοϊός: Κλείνουν τα σύνορα με Αλβανία και Β. Μακεδονία - Παρέμβαση Μητσοτάκη για τις εκκλησίες". www.news247.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  46. ^ "Κορονοϊός: Σε καραντίνα τα χωριά Δαμασκηνιά και Δραγασιά" [Coronavirus: The villages of Damaskinia and Dragasia are quarantined]. Έθνος (in Greek). 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  47. ^ a b Editorial, Reuters (9 March 2020). "In era of coronavirus, Greek church says Holy Communion will carry on". U.S. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  48. ^ Anthee Carasava (9 March 2020). "Coronavirus Sparks Church-State Controversy in Greece". Voice of America.
  49. ^ a b "Coronavirus: Bug sparks Holy Communion row in Greece". Straights Times. 9 March 2020.
  50. ^ Brzozowski, Alexandra; Michalopoulos, Sarantis (9 March 2020). "Catholics take measures against coronavirus while Greek Orthodox Church 'prays'". www.euractiv.com. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  51. ^ Team, ΤοΒΗΜΑ (11 March 2020). "Mitsotakis calls for unity, personal responsibility, cooperation of Archbishop to limit COVID-19". Ειδήσεις - νέα - Το Βήμα Online (in Greek). Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  52. ^ Team, ΤοΒΗΜΑ (13 March 2020). "Κορωνοϊός - Ιερώνυμος: Η Εκκλησία μας ουδέποτε στάθηκε απέναντι στην Επιστήμη ή επιχείρησε να την υποκαταστήσει". Ειδήσεις - νέα - Το Βήμα Online (in Greek). Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  53. ^ "Greek Orthodox Church agrees to suspend daily services, sacraments over coronavirus". Ekatherimini. 16 March 2020.
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