July 27th 2024.
As the summer season heats up, many British tourists have been eagerly travelling to Greece for their much-awaited holidays. However, they have recently been warned about the possibility of catching a new variant of Covid. This FLiRT variant has been causing concern after a surge in hospital admissions all over the country.
In fact, between July 8 and 14, there were 669 new Covid patients admitted, which is a 44% increase compared to the average of the previous week in June. This has resulted in a total of 26 reported Covid deaths by Greece's National Public Health Organization, EODY. As a result, the Mentaxa Oncology Hospital in Athens has implemented stricter measures, such as reintroducing a mask policy, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Matina Pagoni, the President of the Association of Hospital Doctors' Union of Athens and Piraeus, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating that although it is summer and people are on vacation, the coronavirus is still very much present. She also mentioned that this year's cases are significantly higher compared to last year. This raises concerns about the symptoms of the new FLiRT variant and how it differs from previous strains of Covid.
The symptoms of this new variant include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headache, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, new loss of taste or smell, 'brain fog', and gastrointestinal symptoms. Pagoni also emphasized that the number of hospitalizations and deaths are alarmingly high, with 21-22 deaths being reported.
The city of Thessaloniki has also been affected by this recent surge in cases, as shown through sewage testing. The union based in Athens has warned that the outbreak is expected to continue until the end of July. This situation is exacerbated by the current heatwave in Greece, which has been described as 'hellish'. The country is facing its most severe wildfire risk in two decades, and even the famous Acropolis had to close its doors due to the soaring temperatures.
Meteorologists have predicted that the scorching temperatures, reaching up to 46°C in some areas, will persist until the end of July. This has resulted in tourists being advised to stay indoors, which is another concern for those who travelled to Greece to enjoy its sunny beaches. The World Health Organization has also released a statement, revealing that Covid is still responsible for around 1,700 deaths per week.
In summary, it is essential for everyone, especially tourists, to be aware of the new FLiRT variant of Covid and its symptoms. The situation in Greece is quite serious, and stricter measures have been implemented to prevent the spread of the virus. It is also crucial to take precautions and stay safe, especially in the midst of a heatwave. Let us hope that this challenging time will pass soon, and we can all enjoy the beauty of Greece without any worries.
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