Two Corfu pulmonologists discuss the Covid situation on the island
coronavirus
10 Mar 2021
/ 14:05
CORFU. Two pulmonologists from Corfu General Hospital talk to Enimerosi about the situation here.
With the country in the midst of the third wave, Corfu is not suffering as badly as Attica and other large urban areas. This is probably due to the self-control of most of the people and the isolation of the island.
This, at least, is the view of two pulmonologists at Corfu Hospital Drs Haini and Pandi, who spoke to Enimerosi at the end of last week, but who, however, urged us not to relax at this critical time. "A meal with a lot of people or a celebration can lead to what we are trying to avoid," they both stressed and reminded us that the spike in the second wave in Corfu came following family celebrations for St. Spyridon in Liapades and Ag. Deka leading to deaths and intubations!
At the moment, things are completely under control at the hospital with six patients in the Special Infectious Diseases Unit and there are no patients intubated in the ICU. In contrast to the hospitals in Attica, Corfu is not under a lot of pressure, which is how we want things to remain. Doctors and nurses will, however, remain in readiness until the end of April in case the situation worsens.
Vaccination data
Up to Friday 5 March there were over 9,000 vaccinations in Corfu, the Diapontia Islands and Paxos. This includes both shots, meaning that less than 9,000 people in total have been vaccinated. They maintain, however, that this is not too bad and is split up as follows: 3,550 at the hospital, 4,500 at the Health Centre in town, 186 in the Diapontia Islands, 155 in Paxos and 720 at the Agios Markos Health Centre. We can consider that these figures coming from the hospital are more reliable than from elsewhere.
The rate at which the vaccination programme is progressing is increasing and is dependent on the number of vaccines available - distribution is an issue not just in Greece but in the whole of Europe. Optimistically, more vaccines will become available leading to the opening of vaccination centres in Lefkimmi and Ag. Athanasi, whilst the hospital is already planning for the AstraZeneca vaccines as well.
The rate of vaccination and the number of people covered can bring immunity much sooner - it is estimated that this will come when approximately 70% of the population has been innoculated. The two pulmonologists say, "The only way to be free is through vaccination."
Side effects
As far as the false alarms are concerned, without going into details involving personal data, there have been no worrying side effects in Corfu as a result of vaccination. The most common report is that those who have been vaccinated feel as though they have the flu with a slight fever, lasting for two days at most. This is due to the expected and desired-for reaction of the immune system and varies from person to person, manifesting in younger and stronger people rather than in those of an older age.
Also on the positive side is the fact that there has been no transmission of the virus amongst the hospital personnel, which has been put down to the strict adherence to the measures by patients and visitors. The hospital here is also not under the heavy pressure that is being experienced in Athens hospitals and was experienced in Thessaloniki in the second wave.
Another positve point is the decrease in the number of other infections, which is generally put down to the protective measures, masks, distancing and antiseptics.
And the bottom line - take care. "A meal with a lot of people or a celebration can lead to what we are trying to avoid," So let's all be very careful.
This, at least, is the view of two pulmonologists at Corfu Hospital Drs Haini and Pandi, who spoke to Enimerosi at the end of last week, but who, however, urged us not to relax at this critical time. "A meal with a lot of people or a celebration can lead to what we are trying to avoid," they both stressed and reminded us that the spike in the second wave in Corfu came following family celebrations for St. Spyridon in Liapades and Ag. Deka leading to deaths and intubations!
At the moment, things are completely under control at the hospital with six patients in the Special Infectious Diseases Unit and there are no patients intubated in the ICU. In contrast to the hospitals in Attica, Corfu is not under a lot of pressure, which is how we want things to remain. Doctors and nurses will, however, remain in readiness until the end of April in case the situation worsens.
Vaccination data
Up to Friday 5 March there were over 9,000 vaccinations in Corfu, the Diapontia Islands and Paxos. This includes both shots, meaning that less than 9,000 people in total have been vaccinated. They maintain, however, that this is not too bad and is split up as follows: 3,550 at the hospital, 4,500 at the Health Centre in town, 186 in the Diapontia Islands, 155 in Paxos and 720 at the Agios Markos Health Centre. We can consider that these figures coming from the hospital are more reliable than from elsewhere.
The rate at which the vaccination programme is progressing is increasing and is dependent on the number of vaccines available - distribution is an issue not just in Greece but in the whole of Europe. Optimistically, more vaccines will become available leading to the opening of vaccination centres in Lefkimmi and Ag. Athanasi, whilst the hospital is already planning for the AstraZeneca vaccines as well.
The rate of vaccination and the number of people covered can bring immunity much sooner - it is estimated that this will come when approximately 70% of the population has been innoculated. The two pulmonologists say, "The only way to be free is through vaccination."
Side effects
As far as the false alarms are concerned, without going into details involving personal data, there have been no worrying side effects in Corfu as a result of vaccination. The most common report is that those who have been vaccinated feel as though they have the flu with a slight fever, lasting for two days at most. This is due to the expected and desired-for reaction of the immune system and varies from person to person, manifesting in younger and stronger people rather than in those of an older age.
Also on the positive side is the fact that there has been no transmission of the virus amongst the hospital personnel, which has been put down to the strict adherence to the measures by patients and visitors. The hospital here is also not under the heavy pressure that is being experienced in Athens hospitals and was experienced in Thessaloniki in the second wave.
Another positve point is the decrease in the number of other infections, which is generally put down to the protective measures, masks, distancing and antiseptics.
And the bottom line - take care. "A meal with a lot of people or a celebration can lead to what we are trying to avoid," So let's all be very careful.
