Corfu Covid Watch: Sharp spike in Covid infections
Covid Watch
04 Jul 2022
/ 21:32
CORFU. The latest update from Corfu Covid Watch.
There was a sharp spike in the epidemic in the second half of June both in Corfu and the whole country, but it is more intense in islands and tourist areas. Corfu is one of the areas with the highest spike in Covid infections, exceeding in frequency even the ones recorded in winter.
The new epidemic wave has appeared in several European countries and is due to newer and highly transmissible Omicron variants. The greater movement due to tourism and the significant relaxation of measures are two of the main reasons for the increase in the spread of the new variants.
The new great spike came after a period during which the epidemic was gradually receding, something that started at the end of winter and lasted until early summer when the number of cases and hospitalisations was low. The high vaccination rate and the large number of people who had been infected with Covid created significant levels of immunity, limited the transmission of the virus and kept the number of hospitalisations and deaths low. However, the new variants, which are highly contagious, are probably responsible for this situation and a new epidemic wave is already here.
It is still too early to understand the characteristics of this new epidemic wave and to attempt to predict its development. So far in Corfu it has been characterised by a sharp and very large increase in cases, which has led to a corresponding sharp increase in the number of hospitalisations. No significant number of severe cases and deaths has been recorded for the time being, but the high spread of the virus is expected to increase those as well in the coming period.
The high spread of the virus makes it necessary to protect people belonging to high-risk groups. The third and fourth booster shots can significantly enhance their protection from severe disease. Even if they get infected, those who have had the booster shots are largely protected from severe disease and usually just get a mild cold. Avoiding overcrowding is also very important for the protection of vulnerable groups, as is the use of masks indoors and wherever it is mandatory.
The sudden appearance of the new epidemic wave reminds us that it is not possible to predict the course of the pandemic. The very high transmissibility of the new variants and their ability to infect people who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid, as well as the significant relaxation of measures, has led to the unpredictable spike recorded in the past few weeks. This confirms that the complacency as regards adherence to safety measures has once again led to the spike in the pandemic.
So far there are no signs that the new epidemic wave will stabilise as its intensity continues to increase.
Continued monitoring of the epidemic remains necessary and it is crucial to make as many people as possible to adhere to the protective measures, as well as to get vaccinated with the third and fourth booster shots, especially those over 60 years of age or belonging to high-risk groups.
The new epidemic wave has appeared in several European countries and is due to newer and highly transmissible Omicron variants. The greater movement due to tourism and the significant relaxation of measures are two of the main reasons for the increase in the spread of the new variants.
The new great spike came after a period during which the epidemic was gradually receding, something that started at the end of winter and lasted until early summer when the number of cases and hospitalisations was low. The high vaccination rate and the large number of people who had been infected with Covid created significant levels of immunity, limited the transmission of the virus and kept the number of hospitalisations and deaths low. However, the new variants, which are highly contagious, are probably responsible for this situation and a new epidemic wave is already here.
It is still too early to understand the characteristics of this new epidemic wave and to attempt to predict its development. So far in Corfu it has been characterised by a sharp and very large increase in cases, which has led to a corresponding sharp increase in the number of hospitalisations. No significant number of severe cases and deaths has been recorded for the time being, but the high spread of the virus is expected to increase those as well in the coming period.
The high spread of the virus makes it necessary to protect people belonging to high-risk groups. The third and fourth booster shots can significantly enhance their protection from severe disease. Even if they get infected, those who have had the booster shots are largely protected from severe disease and usually just get a mild cold. Avoiding overcrowding is also very important for the protection of vulnerable groups, as is the use of masks indoors and wherever it is mandatory.
The sudden appearance of the new epidemic wave reminds us that it is not possible to predict the course of the pandemic. The very high transmissibility of the new variants and their ability to infect people who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid, as well as the significant relaxation of measures, has led to the unpredictable spike recorded in the past few weeks. This confirms that the complacency as regards adherence to safety measures has once again led to the spike in the pandemic.
So far there are no signs that the new epidemic wave will stabilise as its intensity continues to increase.
Continued monitoring of the epidemic remains necessary and it is crucial to make as many people as possible to adhere to the protective measures, as well as to get vaccinated with the third and fourth booster shots, especially those over 60 years of age or belonging to high-risk groups.
