Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 17, 2024 5 months, 4 days, 22 hours, 4 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: As Greece basks in the summer sun, a different kind of heatwave is sweeping across the nation - one of rising COVID-19 cases. Over the past few weeks, hospitals have reported a sharp increase in admissions due to the virus, sparking concerns among healthcare professionals and authorities.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Greece jumps by 30 percent in a week
A Sudden Spike
The president of the Panhellenic Federation of Public Hospital Employees (POEDIN), Michalis Giannakos, has sounded the alarm. In a recent announcement, Giannakos highlighted that hospitalizations have surged by 30% in just 13 days.
"From the statistical data of hospitals, there is an increase in patients with COVID-19 visiting emergency departments, an increase in hospitalized patients in regular wards, and a rise in in-hospital transmission," Giannakos stated.
The Numbers Paint a Grim Picture
Current statistics reveal a worrying trend. As of now, 2,009 regular beds are available for COVID-19 patients across Greece, with 505 of them occupied. Of these, 452 patients have been confirmed with COVID-19. This is a stark contrast to figures from July 3, 2024, when 2,040 beds were available, and 389 were occupied, including 340 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The nearly 30% increase in confirmed cases within such a short period underscores the severity of the situation.
https://www.healthstat.gr/epikairotita/30617/koronoios-ragdaia-ayksisi-nosileion-30-mesa-se-molis-19-meres
In the previous week, Greek health data for the week of July 1-7 indicated a significant rise in COVID-19 hospital admissions, with 575 new patients, compared to a four-week average of 380 and more than double the number from the same period last year. Intubations also increased with nine new cases, while 13 patients remain on ventilators.
https://greekcitytimes.com/2024/07/12/covid-19-surge/
Despite the rise in COVID-19 cases, flu-related infections are low according to local
COVID-19 News coverages.
Vulnerable Groups at Risk
Healthcare staff have urged the public to exercise heightened caution and adhere strictly to protective measures. "There are individuals around us who belong to vulnerable groups, whose lives could be at risk if they contract COVID-19. Hospitals house severely ill patients who are highly susceptible to the virus, and the relaxation of protective measures for companions and visitors is dangerous," they warned.
The relaxed protocols for patient companions and visitors have raised significant concerns. Many companions enter and leave hospitals without stringent protective measures, while numerous patients awaiting examination in emergency departments are seen removing their masks, despite
repeated requests from the staff to keep them on.
"It is tragic to lose patients to COVID-19 unnecessarily," healthcare staff lamented.
ICU Beds Offer Some Relief
While the situation in regular wards is alarming, intensive care units (ICUs) provide a glimmer of hope. Currently, 19 ICU beds are allocated for COVID-19 patients, with 8 of them occupied. This indicates that there is still some capacity to handle severe cases, but the situation remains precarious.
A Call for Reinforced Measures
The healthcare sector is calling for an immediate tightening of safety protocols to curb the spread of the virus within hospital settings. The increase in in-hospital transmission highlights the urgent need for better protection for both patients and staff.
With the summer season traditionally being a time of relaxation and social gatherings, the surge in COVID-19 cases serves as a stark reminder that the pandemic is far from over. Authorities and healthcare professionals alike are urging the public to remain vigilant, wear masks, maintain social distancing, and follow hygiene guidelines to prevent further spread of the virus.
Looking Ahead
As Greece navigates this summer wave of COVID-19, the focus remains on protecting the vulnerable and preventing the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed. The rapid increase in hospitalizations is a clear signal that complacency is not an option.
The Greek government and health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to implement stricter measures if necessary. The cooperation of the public is crucial in this ongoing battle against COVID-19. By adhering to protective measures and remaining vigilant, Greece can hope to stem the tide of rising cases and ensure a safer summer for all.
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COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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