On October 28th 2020, unfortunately, there are 1.547 new coronavirus cases in Greece and 10 deaths, according to the National Organisation of Public Health. Have we lost control?
As from last Saturday, a curfew has been imposed from 12.30 pm to until 5 am in regions that are classified as high-risk areas including Athens and the wider surroundings, where more than half of the country's population lives. The use of facemasks is mandatory both indoors and in public outdoor areas and 2 metres (5 feet) distances must be kept.
"The coming months are going to be very difficult. And, as a general lockdown is not my choice, other measures are required, smarter, more targeted and eventually more effective" said Prime Minister Mitsotakis on a televised address to the nation. "Now is not the time for secret parties, when this virus is having a party at the expense of our lives."
As I have written before Greece managed the health crisis much better than many other countries, during the first wave of the pandemic. However, cases started rising after the reopening of borders in mid-July and rose more in late August as holidaymakers returned from the coastal areas to the cities. The number of cases increased at about 400 per day from September to mid-October but has more than doubled this week.
Authorities said that as the cases are rising enormously two-thirds of the intensive care beds are full and experts warn that the hospitals may be swamped in the following two weeks.
The situation is particularly alarming in northern Greece as Kastoria and Kozani are already in a lockdown, as they have, unfortunately. reached the maximum level of the risk assessment system.
But Greece is doing much better than other European countries. Portugal who has the same population as we have has a much larger amount of cases and deaths than Greece.
We must obey the rules that have been imposed, always wearing masks indoors and outdoors, keeping distances, washing our hands meticulously so that our loved ones, the general population and we remain healthy.
How sad that we cannot embrace our beloved children and grandchildren and cannot visit our dear relatives and friends. But how dramatically painful for people who have lost their loved ones and were not even allowed to bid them farewell before they died, a real tragedy.
For You Dear Reader
No comments:
Post a Comment