Tourists heading to Greece warned of Covid variant as hospital rules return

Those going to Greece for their summer holidays have been warned of a spike in Covid cases related to the new FLiRT variant.

The increase has been reported by the Mediterranean country over the last 20 days.

In its latest report Greece’s National Public Health Organization, EODY, said it had seen an increase in hospital admissions, with 669 new Covid patients admitted from July 8 to 14, 2024. The report adds that this was a 44% increase in the average weekly number of new admissions over the previous four weeks.

In total 26 Covid deaths were recorded.

Greece has recently stuggled with heatwaves that has left many vulnerable people shieding from high temperatures inside.

Last week the Metaxa Oncology Hospital in Piraeus, the port area of Athens, reintroduced masks and other protective measures within its wards.

Visitors are limited to two per patient and there is a 48-hour rapid test requirement for those visiting.

Hospital Director Sarantos Efstathopoulos announced the measures to safeguard its patients, adding that they will be reassessed on July 29.

President of EINAP Matina Pagoni told the Greek television network MEGA: “It’s summer, we’re going on vacation, we never said the coronavirus was gone. The truth is that this year, compared to last year, the cases have nothing to do with it. There are too many, there are many hospitalisations and also deaths. 21-22 deaths are too many.”

According to EuroNews the city of Thessaloniki has seen a rise in cases reported through sewage testing.

Bulgaria, who shares a border with Greece, issued a warning to any of its residents visiting the country this summer. On the number of cases in Greece, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs added: “In this regard and considering the large number of Bulgarian citizens visiting the country during the summer period, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends strict compliance with preventive and hygienic measures in the context of the spread of the disease.”

The Association of Hospital Doctors’ Union of Athens and Piraeus (EINAP) warned that the outbreak…