ATHENS – A day after nine police officers in Thessaloniki tested positive for COVID-19, another 14 in Athens were ordered to quarantine for seven days after a man they detained was infected with the Coronavirus.

They were stationed in the Agios Panteleimonas precinct in central Athens and had taken into custody a Somalian who was taken to  Evangelismos Hospital after telling police he felt unwell and tested positive, SKAI TV said.

The precinct has been disinfected but the report added to worries that a second wave is spreading, caused mostly by people defying or ignoring health protocols and the New Democracy government for now ruling out a second lockdown.

A first on March 23 was gradually lifted week-by-week beginning May 4 so that more non-essential businesses could reopen and tourists were allowed to come in July, but cases have soared since, especially in August.

In Thessaloniki, police union chief Theodoros Tsairidis said the first case was confirmed at the Thermi traffic police department and he sent a letter to the ministers of health and citizens’ protection, requesting mandatory tests for all officers returning from vacation.

A recent circular issued by the Health Ministry made diagnostic tests mandatory for returning doctors and health workers too.