ATHENS — The 113 coronavirus infections in Kastoria, NW Greece show an "aggressive spike", Deputy Minister for Civil Protection & Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said on Wednesday, noting that the median age of infected individuals is 37 years.

Speaking after a meeting with three mayors of the area and the region's leaders, Hardalias said the coronavirus situation at Kastoria is critical and needs to be dealt with immediately.

What also worries epidemiologists who monitor the area is that "active cases are associated with local clusters that act as pockets of mass dispersal," he added.

Asked whether Kastoria will be placed under Level-4 alert, the highest rung of coronavirus measures, as was the case with Kozani, he stressed that "the next 24 hours are critical, as the outbreak of the virus must be halted," but the decision to increase the area's emergency level also dependes on the committee of health experts.