Concern about the large number of cases - what epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos says
COVID-19
26 May 2021
/ 14:34
CORFU. Epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos told Enimerosi that he reckons there will be a gradual decrease in the number of Covid cases in Corfu in June.
Following local concern about the 51 cases reported in Corfu on Tuesday, epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos, head of Corfu Covid Watch, told Enimerosi that he reckons there will be a gradual decrease in the number of Covid cases in June.
He said that what concerns the Civil Protection Service and EODY are possible local spikes during the summer due to protective measures not being adhered to.
"At the moment, we still have a regular number of cases and a high level of transmission resulting in hospital admissions putting the health services under pressure. The month of May has had the highest number of cases due to the high level of transmission over the Easter period, the result of which can still be seen.
What we saw was a sudden spike in the number of positive cases. In the hospital and private labs the rate remains above 4%, which is the conventional threshold, but in the tests carried out by EODY on the general public the positivity rate was below 1% but after Easter rose to 2%, which is considered very high. At the same time, the measures have been significantly relaxed."
Regarding the 51 cases reported, he said that normally fewer people go for tests at public health centres at the weekend, especially on Sunday and the results from private labs are often not immediately recorded in EODY data.
According to Mr. Alamanos, the number of cases is beginning to stabilise and in combination with the greater numbers being vaccinated he reckons that there will be a gradual de-escalation in June.
"We'll see a gradual decrease in the number of cases in June," he said but added that the record numbers in May had a negative effect on tourism and led to the UK putting Greece in the amber list.
Local spikes
He said that the Civil Protection Service and EODY are concerned about local spikes during the summer with 'super spreader' events such as parties in popular tourist resorts with a lot of visitors. "There are fears that there may be local spikes," said Mr. Alamanos, "especially in areas such as Kavos, Lagana etc. which have a lot of partying."
He said that what concerns the Civil Protection Service and EODY are possible local spikes during the summer due to protective measures not being adhered to.
"At the moment, we still have a regular number of cases and a high level of transmission resulting in hospital admissions putting the health services under pressure. The month of May has had the highest number of cases due to the high level of transmission over the Easter period, the result of which can still be seen.
What we saw was a sudden spike in the number of positive cases. In the hospital and private labs the rate remains above 4%, which is the conventional threshold, but in the tests carried out by EODY on the general public the positivity rate was below 1% but after Easter rose to 2%, which is considered very high. At the same time, the measures have been significantly relaxed."
Regarding the 51 cases reported, he said that normally fewer people go for tests at public health centres at the weekend, especially on Sunday and the results from private labs are often not immediately recorded in EODY data.
According to Mr. Alamanos, the number of cases is beginning to stabilise and in combination with the greater numbers being vaccinated he reckons that there will be a gradual de-escalation in June.
"We'll see a gradual decrease in the number of cases in June," he said but added that the record numbers in May had a negative effect on tourism and led to the UK putting Greece in the amber list.
Local spikes
He said that the Civil Protection Service and EODY are concerned about local spikes during the summer with 'super spreader' events such as parties in popular tourist resorts with a lot of visitors. "There are fears that there may be local spikes," said Mr. Alamanos, "especially in areas such as Kavos, Lagana etc. which have a lot of partying."
