Corfu on high alert due to outbreak of the pandemic
pandemic
24 Nov 2021
/ 22:30
CORFU. Call for strict adherence to the measures and vaccination, in order to achieve stabilisation.
The Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Mayor Meropi Ydraiou, as well as the medical community and the tourism bodies, voiced their concern at a press conference held this morning at the Municipal Theatre about the outbreak of the pandemic in Corfu, which was confirmed by the significant increase in the viral load in Corfu urban wastewater (+271%).
On the occasion of the approaching Christmas holidays and in order for the situation to stabilise until then, they stressed the need for strict adherence to protective measures both indoors and outdoors, where overcrowding is observed, but also the need to increase vaccinations, both with the first and the booster shot.
“In the last few days, we have had an increase in cases, which causes concern. Therefore, we must deal immediately with it with prudence, determination and calmly, so that we can continue our lives normally, protect our own health and that of our loved ones, but also for the normal functioning of the economy and the society,” said the Mayor. For this reason, the Municipality in collaboration with the Corfu Medical Association has begun a campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated with a promo video.
A different kind of war
Corfu Medical Association President Dimitris Kaloudis said that this is a different kind of war. Corfu Hospital regular outpatient clinics have been suspended, doctors are on the verge of exhaustion and patients are intubated daily. “The situation is very serious. People should get vaccinated immediately,” he said.
99% of patients are unvaccinated
Director Leonidas Roubatis described the situation in which the Corfu Hospital has been for 4-5 months. As he explained, recently there has been an increase in admissions, even among younger people, while 99% of patients are unvaccinated and they arrive to the hospital in very poor condition and with other health problems. Mr. Roubatis called upon all the chronically ill, as well as the kidney patients, cancer patients and people with thalassemia to get vaccinated immediately.
At the same time, he made it clear that the hospital does not only treat Covid cases, as the surgical clinic, the pathology clinic and the cardiology clinic are full. “Corfu Hospital is the first in Greece with the lowest mortality rate. It was below 5%, and there was no other region in the country with such a low mortality rate. We will fight this battle again and I hope people will be careful so that we can have nice holidays,” said Mr. Roubatis.
He added that a team of doctors would go to the Diapontia Islands tomorrow to vaccinate 10 residents with the first shot and 98 with the booster dose. Regarding the vaccinations at the hospital, he noted that they have increased – 600-700 per day from 200 that they used to be. Many young people are also rushing to get vaccinated.
The reasons
Epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos, head of Corfu Covid Watch, said that the increased spread of the virus in Corfu started in the summer due to the relaxation of measures, but mainly due to Delta variant. “Its existence during this period played a very important role in the resurgence of the pandemic. In Corfu the vaccination rate is higher than the national vaccination rate, but it is not enough to achieve stabilisation. About 2/3 of the Corfu population is fully vaccinated, i.e. about 3/4 of the adult population. However, the conditions have changed and there is an outbreak of the pandemic for the two abovementioned reasons. At the same time, 1/4 of the adult population remains unvaccinated, and the fourth factor is that the immunity of those who were vaccinated in the spring is beginning to wane gradually,” he observed.
Control of the pandemic
As he explained, the booster shot is very effective, it quickly strengthens the body and is crucial for controlling the pandemic. He also added that the outbreak of the pandemic in Corfu can be controlled within the next few weeks with the participation in the vaccination programme and the adherence to the known precautionary measures. “By adhering to the measures and participating in the vaccination programme, the situation can be stabilised in December so that we can celebrate the holidays in relatively normal conditions,” he concluded.
The Federation of Tourist Accommodation Owners, the Professional Chamber, the Chamber of Commerce, the Corfu Trade Association, the Ionian Federation of Commerce and the Corfu Catering Association, all pointed out the necessity of vaccination.
Understaffed
Regarding the issue of understaffing of the vaccination centres, Mrs. Ydraiou said that, although the Municipality is not responsible for them, the issue has been raised in the 6th Health Region. Mr. Roubatis also explained that the issue of reopening the Mega Vaccination Centre has already been raised orally. In addition, regarding the understaffing of the hospital, he said that at the moment there are no auxiliary nurses available for Corfu and they are waiting for it to open in order to recruit staff. The Municipal Authority is also considering giving incentives to the doctors who will serve permanently at the hospital.
Finally, the Corfu Medical Association opposed any requisition of medical services by private doctors and clarified that, even though there are private doctors who want to voluntarily assist the hospital without payment, no legal way has yet been found in order to do so.
On the occasion of the approaching Christmas holidays and in order for the situation to stabilise until then, they stressed the need for strict adherence to protective measures both indoors and outdoors, where overcrowding is observed, but also the need to increase vaccinations, both with the first and the booster shot.
“In the last few days, we have had an increase in cases, which causes concern. Therefore, we must deal immediately with it with prudence, determination and calmly, so that we can continue our lives normally, protect our own health and that of our loved ones, but also for the normal functioning of the economy and the society,” said the Mayor. For this reason, the Municipality in collaboration with the Corfu Medical Association has begun a campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated with a promo video.
A different kind of war
Corfu Medical Association President Dimitris Kaloudis said that this is a different kind of war. Corfu Hospital regular outpatient clinics have been suspended, doctors are on the verge of exhaustion and patients are intubated daily. “The situation is very serious. People should get vaccinated immediately,” he said.
99% of patients are unvaccinated
Director Leonidas Roubatis described the situation in which the Corfu Hospital has been for 4-5 months. As he explained, recently there has been an increase in admissions, even among younger people, while 99% of patients are unvaccinated and they arrive to the hospital in very poor condition and with other health problems. Mr. Roubatis called upon all the chronically ill, as well as the kidney patients, cancer patients and people with thalassemia to get vaccinated immediately.
At the same time, he made it clear that the hospital does not only treat Covid cases, as the surgical clinic, the pathology clinic and the cardiology clinic are full. “Corfu Hospital is the first in Greece with the lowest mortality rate. It was below 5%, and there was no other region in the country with such a low mortality rate. We will fight this battle again and I hope people will be careful so that we can have nice holidays,” said Mr. Roubatis.
He added that a team of doctors would go to the Diapontia Islands tomorrow to vaccinate 10 residents with the first shot and 98 with the booster dose. Regarding the vaccinations at the hospital, he noted that they have increased – 600-700 per day from 200 that they used to be. Many young people are also rushing to get vaccinated.
The reasons
Epidemiologist Yiannis Alamanos, head of Corfu Covid Watch, said that the increased spread of the virus in Corfu started in the summer due to the relaxation of measures, but mainly due to Delta variant. “Its existence during this period played a very important role in the resurgence of the pandemic. In Corfu the vaccination rate is higher than the national vaccination rate, but it is not enough to achieve stabilisation. About 2/3 of the Corfu population is fully vaccinated, i.e. about 3/4 of the adult population. However, the conditions have changed and there is an outbreak of the pandemic for the two abovementioned reasons. At the same time, 1/4 of the adult population remains unvaccinated, and the fourth factor is that the immunity of those who were vaccinated in the spring is beginning to wane gradually,” he observed.
Control of the pandemic
As he explained, the booster shot is very effective, it quickly strengthens the body and is crucial for controlling the pandemic. He also added that the outbreak of the pandemic in Corfu can be controlled within the next few weeks with the participation in the vaccination programme and the adherence to the known precautionary measures. “By adhering to the measures and participating in the vaccination programme, the situation can be stabilised in December so that we can celebrate the holidays in relatively normal conditions,” he concluded.
The Federation of Tourist Accommodation Owners, the Professional Chamber, the Chamber of Commerce, the Corfu Trade Association, the Ionian Federation of Commerce and the Corfu Catering Association, all pointed out the necessity of vaccination.
Understaffed
Regarding the issue of understaffing of the vaccination centres, Mrs. Ydraiou said that, although the Municipality is not responsible for them, the issue has been raised in the 6th Health Region. Mr. Roubatis also explained that the issue of reopening the Mega Vaccination Centre has already been raised orally. In addition, regarding the understaffing of the hospital, he said that at the moment there are no auxiliary nurses available for Corfu and they are waiting for it to open in order to recruit staff. The Municipal Authority is also considering giving incentives to the doctors who will serve permanently at the hospital.
Finally, the Corfu Medical Association opposed any requisition of medical services by private doctors and clarified that, even though there are private doctors who want to voluntarily assist the hospital without payment, no legal way has yet been found in order to do so.
