Strong chance that pandemic will escalate in Corfu
coronavirus
02 Nov 2020
/ 15:37
CORFU. The number of cases in Corfu increased by 500% in October compared to September according to the latest report from the Central Corfu Covid Watch Committee.
The COVID-19 data collected by the Central Corfu Municipal Covid Watch Committee shows a significant increase in the number of confirmed new cases amongst permanent residents in October.
The figures for October are six times those of September and rate is increasing continuously.
At the same time, the number of patients admitted to the Hospital Special Infectious Diseases Unit in October is more than twice that of September. This month also saw the first case in a closed facility (Corfu Prison). The increase comes from cases recorded in several parts of the island.
It can be clearly seen that the spread of the virus amongst Corfu's permanent residents is increasing. There is a strong chance that the pandemic will escalate in Corfu as it has done in other regions and the probability for this to happen is increasing continuously. It is, however, difficult to predict the timing of any spike.
These developments call for special attention from the responsible authorities and strict adherence to the measures by the public. It needs to be reiterated that it is extremely important to avoid large numbers of people, to wear masks regularly, maintain proper distancing and hand hygiene. It is especially important to quarantine and carry out PCR tests when those who have had contact with confirmed cases are traced.
High priority needs to be given to protecting facilities for seniors and those with chronic illnesses. It is extremely important that regular tests for SARS-CoV-2 are carried out on the employees at these facilities and on employees at the hospital. These regular tests are an important part of tracing possible infections in a timely way in these places with extreme vulnerability.
It is also very important to carry out extensive tracing immediately even when a small cluster appears in order to quickly find and isolate close contacts. The possibility of conducting free tests in many instances also needs to be investigated.
In this regard, it is essential that the EODY Mobile Health Unit, which carries out contact tracing and sample tests in Corfu, be reinforced. It is also extremely important that a significant quantity of rapid tests be obtained to cover the need for mass testing with quick results.
Finally, there is an immediate and urgent need for coordination and collaboration of the many and various public and private bodies involved in the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Corfu to ensure efficient management of the situation as it escalates.
The figures for October are six times those of September and rate is increasing continuously.
At the same time, the number of patients admitted to the Hospital Special Infectious Diseases Unit in October is more than twice that of September. This month also saw the first case in a closed facility (Corfu Prison). The increase comes from cases recorded in several parts of the island.
It can be clearly seen that the spread of the virus amongst Corfu's permanent residents is increasing. There is a strong chance that the pandemic will escalate in Corfu as it has done in other regions and the probability for this to happen is increasing continuously. It is, however, difficult to predict the timing of any spike.
These developments call for special attention from the responsible authorities and strict adherence to the measures by the public. It needs to be reiterated that it is extremely important to avoid large numbers of people, to wear masks regularly, maintain proper distancing and hand hygiene. It is especially important to quarantine and carry out PCR tests when those who have had contact with confirmed cases are traced.
High priority needs to be given to protecting facilities for seniors and those with chronic illnesses. It is extremely important that regular tests for SARS-CoV-2 are carried out on the employees at these facilities and on employees at the hospital. These regular tests are an important part of tracing possible infections in a timely way in these places with extreme vulnerability.
It is also very important to carry out extensive tracing immediately even when a small cluster appears in order to quickly find and isolate close contacts. The possibility of conducting free tests in many instances also needs to be investigated.
In this regard, it is essential that the EODY Mobile Health Unit, which carries out contact tracing and sample tests in Corfu, be reinforced. It is also extremely important that a significant quantity of rapid tests be obtained to cover the need for mass testing with quick results.
Finally, there is an immediate and urgent need for coordination and collaboration of the many and various public and private bodies involved in the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Corfu to ensure efficient management of the situation as it escalates.
