Greece will not lift lockdown restrictions in Athens on March 1 as previously planned, following a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday.
“The sharp increase in cases yesterday pushes back the prospect of easing measures on March 1,” Mitsotakis said during a cabinet meeting.
Greece recored 1,913 news cases on Wednesday, with the majority in Athens.
“This is something we have to deal with, because we know very well that we have not yet built a wall of immunity and the months of February and March are very difficult months – always, traditionally – for all respiratory infections,” he continued.
At the same time, the country’s health care facilities are under immense pressure.
The Greek PM said he understood that people were experiencing fatigue due to the harsh and long measures, but underlined that “the considerable ordeal” will come to an end soon as the vaccinations begin to take effect.
New or amended measures are expected to be announced on Friday after the weekly Covid-19 management meeting.
Athens lockdown: Everything you need to know
Latest covid-19 numbers in Greece
Greece recorded 1,913 new cases of COVID-19 in the latest 24-hour reporting period.
This raises the total number of cases to 184,686.
Three hundred and fifty-seven individuals are in ICU. Their median age is 69 years. 86.8% have an underlying condition or are aged 70 years and above.
A total of 1,299 patients have been discharged from ICUs since the start of the pandemic in Greece.
The country’s pandemic death toll stands at 6,371. 95.7% of the deceased had an underlying condition and/or age of 70 years or more.
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