COVID-19 testing.
Greece reported a record-breaking 667 new coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour reporting period, with younger people accounting for a majority of the new infections.
This raises the total number of cases to 26,469.
According to University of Athens professor and Health Ministry committee member Gkikas Magiorkinis, "the pandemic is showing clear signs that it is steadily spreading."
He also underlined that people in the age group of 18 to 39 years old made up some 60% to 70% of the new infections. The epidemiologist appealed to the younger generation to wear facial masks and observe preventative measures.
Earlier, Greece revoked a decision allowing a limited number of fans to attend football matches.
In addition, eighty-seven individuals are in ICU. Their median age is 66 years, and 27 of them are women. 93.1% have an underlying condition or are aged 70 years and above.
A total of 260 patients have been discharged from ICUs since the start of the pandemic in Greece.
The country’s pandemic death toll stands at 528. The median age of all was 79 years and 96.2% of the deceased had an underlying condition and/or age of 70 years or more.
Meanwhile Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias urged citizens in Thessaloniki, Ioannina and Kastoria to remain on high alert.
It is recalled at the inauguration ceremony for 50 additional ICU beds at Sotiria hospital in Athens on Monday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that “the next months will be crucial and we are very well aware that if we do not take care the health system will come under great pressure.”
He also noted that there will be hiring “wherever and whenever necessary” and praised the work of the medical and nursing staff, particularly the staff in the ICUs which, as he said, “battle with death and save human lives every day.”