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 struggled with heatwaves that has left many vulnerable people shielding 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.

The symptoms of the FLiRT and LB.1 variants are generally like those of earlier Covid-19 strains. Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle or body aches, shortness of breath, headache, and a runny nose.

Last week, the World Health Organization released a statement indicating Covid-19 is still responsible for around 1,700 deaths per week globally. WHO encouraged vulnerable populations to get vaccinated.

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Source: Independent, 25 July 2024