Update – 12/07/2021
July 12, 2021
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As of the latest update by the Greek authorities, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece 438.809. 5 new deaths were reported raising the total number to 12.792. The number of patients treated in intensive care units is currently 142. 1.465 new cases were announced yesterday in Greece. 639 of the new cases were found in the Attica region and 76 new cases in the Thessaloniki region.
The risk of serious illness for the fully vaccinated from the coronavirus, even the Delta variant, is extremely low, according to Dimitris Paraskevis, associate professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine at Athens University Medical School and member of the Health Ministry’s committee of experts.
In an interview with Praktoreio FM radio, he said that cases in the United Kingdom and Israel may have increased due to the Delta variant, but the number of people admitted to intensive care is very low.
“Vaccinated people have a low risk of serious illness. The protection provided by the vaccine is greater than 90%. Even if protection against infection is a little lower, it remains very significant… the risk of serious illness is extremely small for the fully vaccinated, even for the Delta variant,” he said, adding that “this applies to all vaccines.”
Regarding the severity of the illness caused by the Delta variant, he said there is still no definite data but so far it does not seem to make the disease more serious.
The arrival in full force of the Delta coronavirus variant and the new spike in cases is prompting the government to step up efforts to boost vaccination rates, amid growing concern about the possible effects on tourism and the economy in general.
With the advent of a fourth wave of the pandemic a foregone conclusion, government officials are sounding the alarm, as current data suggests that by the fall, Greece will still be below, albeit marginally, the threshold needed to build the coveted wall of immunity.
Even though vaccination rates have indeed picked up significantly over the last week, the government is still reeling over a recent public opinion poll by Pulse for Skai TV, which found that 40% of those who have not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19 said they won’t be.
In light of these developments, the government is seeking a grassroots approach by engaging local authorities and even the church to increase the percentage of vaccinated people. Indicatively, in one village, participation in the inoculation program is at just 5% because the local priest is against vaccines.
At present, however, the government does not intend to make any major adjustments to its planning. The decisions expected in the current phase mainly concern the mandatory vaccination of certain occupational categories, as well as how indoor areas will operate.
Final decisions are expected to be announced this week.
However, according to information, the compulsory vaccination for workers at care facilities for the elderly and the disabled has already been decided, while it remains to be seen whether the same rules will apply for healthcare providers, now or later. While the vaccination rates of medical staff overall are particularly high, the same cannot be said about nurses.
Government sources have also noted that there is an ongoing debate whether compulsory vaccination should be extended to other categories, such as teachers and military conscripts, with the concerns being more of a practical rather than legal nature. The indecision stems from the fact that there is no precedent, as similar measures have not been taken in any other country.
Officials are also in two minds over how exactly to sanction someone who is serving in the military for refusing to get vaccinated.
In more detail, the 1.465 new cases detected per Regional Unit:
