ATHENS – Greece confirmed 1,913 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, of which 5 were identified at entry points to the country, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) said on Wednesday.

This brings the total confirmed infections since the first case in Greece to 184,686.

Based on confirmed infections in the last 7 days, 55 are linked to incoming travel and 2,578 to already confirmed infections. 

Another 28 patients lost their lives to Covid-19 during the last 24 hours, bringing the total deaths since the pandemic's start to 6,371. Of these, 95.7 pct had an underlying condition and/or were aged 70 or more.

The number of intubated patients in hospitals is 357, with 69.7 pct of these being men. Their median age is 69 years, and 86.8 pct of them have an underlying condition and/or are aged 70 or more. 

Another 1,299 patients have been discharged from ICUs.

The new Covid-19 admissions in hospitals nationally on Wednesday was 304 (a daily rise of 1.67 pct). The average rolling admission rate for the last 7 days is 258 patients.

The median age of new infections is 44, while the median age of the deceased was 79.

Attica under greatest pressure

Greece's national health system managed to treat and support all patients, despite immense pressure exerted since the beginning of the pandemic, said Hellenic Intensive Care Society president Αnna Kotanidou at the regular live briefing on Wednesday evening. 

Also the head of the scientific committee responsible for new intensive care unit beds in public hospitals, Kotanidou, a respiratory specialist, noted that Athens is currently experiencing the greatest such pressure, but she stressed that there has never been anyone left "outside of the health system".

ICU beds in Attica 90 pct occupied

Speaking at the same briefing, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias added that the country's health system has been put through its paces by the ongoing health crisis over the last 12 months. 

ICU beds in Attica are 90 pct occupied, as the region is observing the highest epidemiological burden, underlined the minister. 

Kikilias reiterated figures discussed at a cabinet meeting earlier in the day on the progress in coronavirus vaccinations. So far, 758,480 inoculations have been carried out, corresponding to 7.22 percent of the population. Daily inoculations average 25,004, and appointments booked total 1,486,661.