Greek authorities fear “second wave” of COVID-19 as cases of infected tourists rise

·

Greek health authorities are on high alert after a total of 103 COVID-19 cases have now been recorded since the country opened to mass tourism on July 1.

On Tuesday, 17 of the 27 new confirmed cases were imported. On Wednesday, additional new cases have been spotted among tourists in the islands of Thassos and Evia.

There are fears that many more infected individuals have slipped into Greece, mainly across its northern border, potentially spreading the disease to locals and tourists alike.

The four cases on the island of Thassos have been located and isolated in a quarantine hotel. The incidents were detected after the result of their blood tests, which were administered upon their entrance into the country, became available.

The individuals were all Bulgarian and Serbian nationals — all of whom were asymptomatic.

Greece has since banned all but essential travel from Serbia as the infection numbers steadily rise in the Balkan country.

Infectious disease expert, Professor Nikos Sipsas, warned on Tuesday that arrivals through Greece’s northern land borders from countries with a high rate of coronavirus infections, are threatening to derail the country’s remarkable progress in containing COVID-19.

“Promachonas, the crossing into northern Greece from countries where the epidemic is like a boiling pot, is a problem,” Sipsas said, speaking to Skai TV. “It is a significant danger for Greece.”

RELATED: First tourists arrive in Greece as Athens and Thessaloniki airports open.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

GOCNSW holds fruitful first meeting with new Consul General George Skemperis

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW hosted the new Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Georgios Skemperis, in a productive meeting.

Silent heroes and bright futures: Supporting Greek language education in Victoria

Over the past month or so a few articles have appeared discussing the current and future state of the Greek language in Victoria.

Archbishop Makarios pays tribute to Elder Vasilios Gontikakis, influential Athonite theologian

Elder Vasilios Gontikakis, former Prior of the Iviron Monastery (1990–2005) and the Stavronikita Monastery (1968–1990) on Mount Athos, died.

Greek basketball stars bring Panathinaikos spirit to Melbourne’s Stalactites

Melbourne’s iconic Greek restaurant Stalactites hosted Panathinaikos stars Nikos Rogkavopoulos and Jerian Grant on Wednesday, September 17.

Australian Championship secures landmark multi-platform broadcast deal with SBS

Football Australia and SBS today announced a landmark multi-year, multi-platform agreement to broadcast the Australian Championship.

You May Also Like

Stefanos Tsitsipas is off to the fourth round of Australian Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas is through to the fourth round in the Australian Open after defeating Tallon Griekspoor in Melbourne today.

Will Angel celebrates 250th match for Sydney Olympic as club secures victory

Will Angel celebrated his 250th match for Sydney Olympic FC as the club secured victory against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.

Andriana Petrakis tops tennis rankings for People with an Intellectual Impairment

Andriana Petrakis has ranked No.1 in Australia for People with an Intellectual Impairment (PWII) in the women’s singles II-1 category.