Corfu Covid Watch: Sharp increase in cases in November
corovavirus
08 Nov 2021
/ 18:11
CORFU. The high transmissibility of the Delta variant, the relaxation of protective measures and the fact that about a quarter of the adult population in Corfu remains unvaccinated have led to a spike in the epidemic.
Based on the Covid-19 data collected by the Central Corfu Covid Watch Committee, there was a spike in the pandemic in the first week of November. The rate of confirmed cases continues to increase rapidly, reaching particularly high levels for the epidemic in Corfu to date.
At the same time, the number of people admitted to the hospital Special Infectious Disease Unit is gradually increasing, while a further increase is expected in the coming period. The positivity rate from tests conducted is also significantly increased.
Since summer – especially in August – an extensive spread of the virus in Corfu is recorded due to the relaxation of measures. The prevalence of the new highly-transmissible Delta variant is also responsible for this situation.
This spike is in line with the rapid spread of the epidemic throughout the country, particularly in areas with a low vaccination rate. This indicates that in the coming period, as winter approaches, we will face another severe wave of the pandemic, as it happened last year during the same period. Furthermore, the restrictive measures will be less strict this time, as it is unlikely that a lockdown throughout the country, which halted the spread of the virus in November last year, will be repeated.
The strict adherence to the preventative measures is necessary in order to limit the spread. The regular adherence to these measures in all social, educational and economic activities can drastically reduce the further spread of the virus. At the same time, participation in the vaccination programme needs to be increased in order to control the epidemic.
The vaccination rate in Corfu to date is higher than the average vaccination rate in the country. It is clear that the vaccination rate achieved at the beginning of the summer has contributed to a great extent to the containment of the epidemic. Thus, it has brought life back to normal and has led to the recovery of the tourist economy. Furthermore, the vaccination of the elderly prevented pressure from being put on the Corfu Hospital, despite the spike in cases since August.
However, the high transmissibility of the Delta variant, the relaxation of protective measures and the fact that about a quarter of the adult population in Corfu remains unvaccinated have led to a spike in the epidemic, which seems to have already started. At the same time, the immunity of those who have been vaccinated is beginning to wane gradually as for most of them several months have passed since the second shot - making the third shot a necessity.
The new, strong wave of the pandemic, which is also being experienced in Corfu, can be limited by strict adherence to the preventative measures by a significant proportion of the population and an increase in the rate of vaccination, which has slackened. It is also very important that those who are already vaccinated have the third shot, especially the ones belonging to vulnerable groups.
At the same time, the number of people admitted to the hospital Special Infectious Disease Unit is gradually increasing, while a further increase is expected in the coming period. The positivity rate from tests conducted is also significantly increased.
Since summer – especially in August – an extensive spread of the virus in Corfu is recorded due to the relaxation of measures. The prevalence of the new highly-transmissible Delta variant is also responsible for this situation.
This spike is in line with the rapid spread of the epidemic throughout the country, particularly in areas with a low vaccination rate. This indicates that in the coming period, as winter approaches, we will face another severe wave of the pandemic, as it happened last year during the same period. Furthermore, the restrictive measures will be less strict this time, as it is unlikely that a lockdown throughout the country, which halted the spread of the virus in November last year, will be repeated.
The strict adherence to the preventative measures is necessary in order to limit the spread. The regular adherence to these measures in all social, educational and economic activities can drastically reduce the further spread of the virus. At the same time, participation in the vaccination programme needs to be increased in order to control the epidemic.
The vaccination rate in Corfu to date is higher than the average vaccination rate in the country. It is clear that the vaccination rate achieved at the beginning of the summer has contributed to a great extent to the containment of the epidemic. Thus, it has brought life back to normal and has led to the recovery of the tourist economy. Furthermore, the vaccination of the elderly prevented pressure from being put on the Corfu Hospital, despite the spike in cases since August.
However, the high transmissibility of the Delta variant, the relaxation of protective measures and the fact that about a quarter of the adult population in Corfu remains unvaccinated have led to a spike in the epidemic, which seems to have already started. At the same time, the immunity of those who have been vaccinated is beginning to wane gradually as for most of them several months have passed since the second shot - making the third shot a necessity.
The new, strong wave of the pandemic, which is also being experienced in Corfu, can be limited by strict adherence to the preventative measures by a significant proportion of the population and an increase in the rate of vaccination, which has slackened. It is also very important that those who are already vaccinated have the third shot, especially the ones belonging to vulnerable groups.
