Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 05, 2024 2 days, 21 hours, 57 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers in Greece, recent data indicates a concerning rise in hospitalizations, intubations, and deaths related to the virus. The National Public Health Organization (EODY) has released a weekly report for June 24-30, shedding light on the current situation and offering insights into the resurgence of COVID-19 in the country.
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Greece Reports Rising COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Intubations And Deaths
Increasing COVID-19 Hospitalizations
The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has shown a notable increase. During the week of June 24-30, there were 472 hospitalizations, which is slightly lower than the previous week's 487 but significantly higher than the weekly median of 300 over the past four weeks. Comparatively, during the same week in 2023, hospitalizations stood at 182, indicating a sharp rise this year.
Surge in Intubations
The report highlights a rise in severe cases requiring intubation. There were five new intubations during the week, bringing the total number of intubated patients to eight. This is a notable increase compared to the median of three intubations over the last four weeks and the same period in 2023, which saw four intubations. This trend suggests a growing number of severe COVID-19 cases requiring intensive medical intervention.
Rising Death Toll
The death toll from COVID-19 has also seen an upward trend. A total of 22 people succumbed to the virus between June 24 and 30, significantly higher than the median of eight deaths over the last four weeks. While this number is slightly above the 18 deaths recorded during the same week in 2023, it underscores the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19.
https://eody.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/respiratory-infections-week-26-2024.pdf
Sub-variant JN.1 Dominates
The most prevalent sub-variant of the BA.2.86 lineage in Greece continues to be JN.1. Viral load sampling in urban wastewater from six out of ten areas showed an increase in the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a decrease in one area, and no change in three areas. This indicates that the virus is still actively circulating in various regions.
Other Respiratory Illnesses
In addition to COVID-19, other respiratory illnesses were monitored. Influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections remained low. Despite high influenza (flu) cases in the community and hospitals, no new cases required ICU hospitalization, and there were no laboratory-confirmed flu cases. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) testing also yielded no positive results in both the community and hospitals.
Expert Insights and Recommendations
Dr Gkikas Magiorkinis, an Epidemiology Professor and member of the national advisory board on the pandemic, provided further context on the rising numbers. He noted that the trend of increasing hospitalizations and intubations began in May. "Intubations are increasing, howeverit is too early to draw saf
e conclusions, as they usually have long hospitalizations," he said in an interview with local
COVID-19 News outlets. Magiorkinis emphasized the possibility of experiencing a phase of exponential growth, leading to further increases in hospitalizations. However, he reassured that the health system is not expected to be dramatically pressured.
Magiorkinis also highlighted a shift in the virus's transmission patterns, with increased circulation expected earlier in the summer. He stressed the importance of precautions, especially for vulnerable groups. "Those most at risk are over 60," he said, recommending that they take extra measures to protect themselves in crowded areas, test when symptoms develop, and seek prompt treatment with antiviral medication.
Conclusion
The resurgence of COVID-19 in Greece serves as a stark reminder that the pandemic is far from over. With rising hospitalizations, intubations, and deaths, it is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and adhere to recommended safety measures. As the situation evolves, continued monitoring and timely interventions will be essential to managing the impact of the virus on public health.
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-emergency-visits-and-deaths-on-the-rise-across-the-united-states
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-hospitalizations-rising-in-queensland-australia-as-new-fluqe-variants-become-predominant-in-circulation
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