ATHENS — Intensive Care Units admissions in Greece rose by slightly over 6 percent, said professor Gkikas Magiorkinis at Friday's live briefing on the pandemic but active infections appear to be stabilizing.

Magiorkinis called it however a "fragile stabilization", using a similar description for the 5 pct reduction of the virus' dispersal in Attica Region. A similar lowering trend is discernible in Thessaloniki, though infections registered a minor rise over the past 7 days, he added.

He also noted that the Health Ministry experts committee would be discussing lifting travelling discussion for the Greek Orthodox Easter (May 2) closer to the holidays.

Covid-19 hospitals still under pressure

Hospitals will remain under pressure for the next 2-3 weeks, infectious diseases professor Vana Papaevangelou said during the briefing on the coronavirus pandemic in Greece, but new admissions are stabilizing to around 250 per day.

Most of the country has high infection rates, with several areas showing a current rate of 250 infected people per 100,000 of population, she said.

A total of 5,500 patients with Covid-19 are hospitalized at this point, while 824 are on ventilators. Throughout Greece, 86 pct of Covid-19-dedicated beds in ICUs are occupied, with the rate rising to over 90 pct in Athens and Thessaloniki.

One in 4 of those on ventilators is aged under 55, while most admissions to ICUs related to the 65-74 age group; older people appear to be now protected by vaccination, she reiterated.

The Health Ministry experts committee member also noted that even if hospital admissions drop, it will take longer to see a related drop in ICU admissions and deaths, as a patient remains in an ICU for 17 days on average.

Retail sector in Kozani reopens on Monday

The retail sector in the region of Kozani will reopen on Monday April 19 for pick-up of online orders, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias announced on Friday.

Meanwhile, the country's driving schools will also reopen on Monday with restrictions, he added.

Driving theory courses and the relevant tests will be conducted online, while staff at driving schools, including the examiners, will have to self-test twice per week on Mondays and Thursdays, added the minister. Candidates will have to self-test 24 hours ahead of their driving test.