9 in 10 infections due to Omicron variant, Alt. Health Minister Gaga says

Nine in ten new infections are attributed to the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, Alternate Health Minister Mina Gaga said on Wednesday.

During a briefing, the doctor said that on December 30 Omicron accounted for 82% of all infections, and one day later the rate had climbed to 89% of all infections.

Gaga also revealed that new vaccination appointments would become available, and those wishing to get vaccinated with Moderna's vaccines in particular will be able to do so on Sundays as well.

Responding to questions, she said it is likely that private-sector doctors will be sent orders to help out on Friday. She acknowledged increased pressure at hospitals' emergency services departments, and called on those testing positive not to rush to hospitals to do PCR tests, but to use primary care health centers instead.

Greece confirms 43,386 new coronavirus infections on Wed.

Greece confirmed 43,386 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, with 69 of these identified at entry points to the country, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) said on Wednesday.

Since the pandemic began, Greece has confirmed 1,388,309 infections (daily change: +3.2 pct). In the confirmed cases of the last 7 days, 326 infections are related to travel from abroad and 1,398 to other confirmed cases. 

There are also 62 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of pandemic victims to 21,115. Of these, 95.1 pct had an underlying condition and/or were aged 70 or over.

A total of 628 patients are on ventilators in hospitals. Their median age is 64 years and 79.9 pct have an underlying condition and/or are aged 70 or over. Of the total, 532 (84.71 pct) are unvaccinated or partly vaccinated and 96 (15.29 pct) are fully vaccinated. 

Another 3,787 have been discharged from ICUs since the pandemic began.

In addition, 641 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospital in the last 24 hours (daily change: +41.81 pct). The average admission of patients with Covid-19 to hospitals over the last 7 days was 462. 

The median age of new infections is 36 years (range: 0.2 to 106 years), while the median age of the deceased is 78 (range: 0.2 to 106 years).