We are in the 4th wave with the spread of the virus throughout the country, said Pediatrician – Infectious Diseases Specialist Vana Papaevangelou during the briefing on the evolution of the pandemic.
It is now estimated that there are 47,000 active cases across the country, of which 1 in 4 in Attica, over 7,500 in Thessaloniki and over 3,000 in Larissa.
He stressed that “the transmission of the virus must be stopped by all means, with every sacrifice” while noting that the number of cases increased by 50% this week and the median age was 36 years with a partial increase in people over 65 years.
The pediatrician said that it is important to increase the number of tests performed, saying that 2% of the population is controlled.
At the same time, he added that the pressure on hospitals is significant with an increase in admissions and intubation, stating that the fullness of the ICU reaches 88% throughout the country.
As Mrs. Papaevangelou pointed out, the absolute correlation of vaccination coverage is confirmed once again, not only with the rate of increase of new cases, but also with the correlation of morbidity and mortality.
However, the infectious disease specialist stressed that the most critical element for the course of the pandemic in each region is the vaccination coverage of adults over 65 years of age.
As he said, in Rethymno and northern Attica, where the general vaccination coverage is not so high, mortality does not increase as the vaccination coverage of people over 60 is very good.
Thus, Ms. Papaevangelou noted that the vaccination of adults over 65 plays a key role in the course of the pandemic.
He even referred to a study in the United Kingdom which showed that vaccinated people are significantly less likely to become infected within the family, but vaccinated people can be infected, so all measures must be followed.
The pediatrician pointed out that the mortality rate in fully vaccinated people under the age of 80 is 0.4% and that the vaccine is superior to the drugs.
At the same time, he called for the protection measures to be observed by all.
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