"An increase in the number of cases was to be expected following the opening of the borders," says Deputy Regional Governor
COVID-19
12 Jul 2021
/ 13:33
CORFU. Fully-vaccinated Briton, 73, hospitalised in Corfu Hospital Special Infectious Diseases Unit.
Yesterday's announcement of the number of cases in Corfu has caused concern as it is a return to double-digit numbers and follows the current trend across the country. According to Deputy Regional Governor for Public Health, Social Welfare & Employment Kostas Zorbas, the 26 new cases announced by EODY on Sunday is to be expected following the opening of borders to tourists.
Mr. Zorbas told Enimerosi that they are asymptomatic cases which didn't need to be hospitalised and are either in isolation at home or have been taken to the quarantine hotel.
"The cases recorded yesterday were not only residents, but also tourists," he said. "We are waiting to see the numbers today and tomorrow to see whether or not it was just a one-off situation. It is to be expected, however, that there will be cases now that tourism has opened up. There were no hospital admissions and there is no pressure on the hospital up to now."
With regard to the case brought up by Municipal Councillor and President of Corfu Lawyers' Association Giorgos Kaloudis, regarding an Italian tourist who tested positive for Covid-19 and had to wait 28 hours for the EODY van to come and take him to the quarantine hotel, Mr. Zorbas said that together with the Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection Nikos Miliotis they will send a document to the Civil Protection head office with the times involved in the case.
Last year the Ionian Islands Regional Administration had taken responsibility for transferring tourists diagnosed with Covid-19 who didn't need to be hospitalised to the quarantine hotel and the system worked successfully. This year, however, responsibility has been taken over by the central Civil Protection Service.
37 tourists at the quarantine hotel
At the moment a total of 37 tourist are being accommodated at the quarantine hotel. Most of them are close contacts of confirmed Covid cases.
6 patients are hospitalised in the Special Infectious Diseases Unit at Corfu Hospital, including a 73-year-old Briton who has had both vaccination jabs.
Mr. Zorbas told Enimerosi that they are asymptomatic cases which didn't need to be hospitalised and are either in isolation at home or have been taken to the quarantine hotel.
"The cases recorded yesterday were not only residents, but also tourists," he said. "We are waiting to see the numbers today and tomorrow to see whether or not it was just a one-off situation. It is to be expected, however, that there will be cases now that tourism has opened up. There were no hospital admissions and there is no pressure on the hospital up to now."
With regard to the case brought up by Municipal Councillor and President of Corfu Lawyers' Association Giorgos Kaloudis, regarding an Italian tourist who tested positive for Covid-19 and had to wait 28 hours for the EODY van to come and take him to the quarantine hotel, Mr. Zorbas said that together with the Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection Nikos Miliotis they will send a document to the Civil Protection head office with the times involved in the case.
Last year the Ionian Islands Regional Administration had taken responsibility for transferring tourists diagnosed with Covid-19 who didn't need to be hospitalised to the quarantine hotel and the system worked successfully. This year, however, responsibility has been taken over by the central Civil Protection Service.
37 tourists at the quarantine hotel
At the moment a total of 37 tourist are being accommodated at the quarantine hotel. Most of them are close contacts of confirmed Covid cases.
6 patients are hospitalised in the Special Infectious Diseases Unit at Corfu Hospital, including a 73-year-old Briton who has had both vaccination jabs.
