Covid-19 Hits Younger Ages in Thessaloniki Creating Concerns

Thessaloniki, Greece. Photo source: Visit Greece / H. Kakarouhas

Thessaloniki authorities are alarmed over new Covid-19 cases increasing among younger age groups as well as a spike in the number of infections.

Thessaloniki Regional Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the city’s mayor Konstantinos Zervas presented Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis the recent developments with regard to the coronavirus pandemic in the northern port city during an emergency teleconference on Monday, noting that Covid-19 incidents were increasing in the wider region among the younger crowds with an average age of 33.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Photo Source: primeminister.gr

Measures discussed included tightening inspections and ensuring social distancing and mask wearing rules were being implemented by both individuals and businesses.

Also topping the agenda were ways to mark the three-day October 26 celebrations dedicated to the city’s patron saint Agios Dimitrios so as to avoid crowding. The city’s mayor said measures would be announced in the coming days.

Zervas called on younger citizens to be alert and to abide by hygiene and social distancing rules, adding that police would be tightening inspections in public spaces starting Tuesday.

“One in two who were found to be positive in our city is between 16 and 29 years old. The average age of cases in our city is 33 years old… to a great extent this demonstrates that the outbreak of coronavirus in Thessaloniki has to do with carelessness, an unjustified carelessness,” said Zervas, adding that the city was very close to being placed in the high risk (orange) Level 3.

Thessaloniki, northern Greece. Photo Source: @Thessaloniki Travel

Of the 438 new Covid-19 cases recorded in Greece yesterday, 49 were found in Thessaloniki, 175 in Attica, 28 in Serres, and 21 in Kozani, which is currently in Level 4.

Epidemiologists are warning that a drop in temperatures and the concentration of more people indoors, could lead to a further increase in coronavirus cases.