Update – 16/12/2020

As of the latest update by the Greek authorities, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 diagnosed cases in Greece is 126,372. 98 new deaths were reported raising the total number to 3,785. The number of patients treated in intensive care units is currently 550. 1,240 new cases were announced yesterday in Greece, raising the daily number above 1,000. 270 of the new cases were found in the Attica region and 232 new cases in the Thessaloniki region.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it has approved the conduct of the first Covid-19 test at home, in the US, without prescription.

Maria Van Kerkhove, epidemiologist of the World Health Organization, referring to the the appearance of a new coronavirus mutation in Britain said “There is no evidence that these (virus) variants behave differently.”

Moderna expects the European Union to approve its candidate vaccine against COVID-19 in mid-January and is ready to start distribution shortly afterwards, the head of its European unit told the German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung.

Johnson & Johnson is developing its own vaccine. This vaccine is a “single dose vaccine that can be stored at room temperature for up to three months” Mr. Magiorkinis said, in yesterday’s briefing of the Ministry of Health. “Johnson & Johnson has announced that it is likely to have results from its clinical trial by the end of January, and it plans to seek approval by the end of February.”

The analysis of the new data of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine, named after the first Soviet satellite, showed that it was effective by 91.4%.

More than 200,000 people have already been vaccinated against the new coronavirus as part of a mass vaccination program that began in September, in parallel with clinical trials that began in Moscow. During trials 1 out of 3 people received a placebo dose of a vaccine. Many countries and regulators argue whether it is ethical to continue to administer placebo in people undergoing clinical trials, while mass vaccination is underway.

Researchers, led by Assistant Professor Megan Fitzpatrick of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, estimated that even if only 40% of citizens get vaccinated, that will result to a reduction by at least 85%, in admissions to hospitals, and in particular to intensive care units, while deaths will possibly be reduced by 88%, compared to the case where no vaccinations are given.

National Organisation for Medicines Warning: Cases of selling fake vaccines on the internet. Some [illegal organisations] are trying to exploit the need for citizens to get “earlier” vaccines or “safer” and more “effective” drugs, influenced by great deals and misleading advertisements.

Pregnant women will not be vaccinated as well as all citizens who have already been diagnosed with coronavirus. According to the results of clinical studies, more than 18,500 people aged 55 to 89 have been vaccinated, with at least one underlying disease such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc. The most common side effects are pain, fatigue, headache and in some cases fever, said Mrs Vana Papaevangelou, the professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Athens and a member of the Infectious Diseases Committee, in an update on Covid-19  of the Greek Ministry of Health about the pandemic.

Regarding yesterday’s 639 new cases detected:

– 14 cases during the checks carried out at the entrance gates of the country

– 3 imported cases that came voluntarily for control

– 270 cases in the Attica Region

– 232 cases in Thessaloniki

– 4 cases in Etoloakarnania

– 1 case in Argolida

– 4 cases in Arta

– 22 cases in Achaia

– 9 cases in Voiotia

– 8 cases from Grevena

– 14 cases in Drama

– 41 cases in Evros

– 8 cases in Evia

– 1 case in Zakynthos

– 2 cases in Ilia

– 49 cases in Imathia

– 7 cases from Heraklion

– 6 cases in Thasos

– 1 case in Ioannina

– 24 cases in Kavala

– 14 cases in Karditsa

– 4 cases in Kastoria

– 52 cases in Kilkis

– 69 cases in Kozani

– 6 cases in Corinth

– 2 cases in Laconia

– 78 cases in Larissa

– 19 cases in Lesvos

– 19 cases in Magnesia

– 8 cases in Messinia

– 1 case in Naxos

– 54 cases in Xanthi

– 1 case in Paros

– 19 cases in Pella

– 44 cases in Pieria

– 18 cases in Rodopi

– 1 case in Rhodes

– 30 cases in Serres

– 4 cases in Sporades

– 19 cases in Trikala

– 11 cases in Fthiotida

– 10 cases in Florina

– 11 cases in Halkidiki

– 6 cases in Chania

– 10 cases in Chios 10 cases are under investigation.

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