COVID-19 pandemic in Greece

COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
Name	COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Greece
First case	Thessaloniki
Arrival date	26 February 2020
Confirmed cases	5,609,000 (as of March 2023)
Deaths	36,000 (as of March 2023)

COVID-19 pandemic in Greece. The first case of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Hellenic Republic was confirmed on 26 February 2020 in the city of Thessaloniki. The outbreak presented a profound challenge to the nation's public health infrastructure and the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Throughout the pandemic, Greece implemented a series of restrictive measures, navigated significant economic turmoil, and ultimately conducted a widespread vaccination campaign.

Background and early cases

The first confirmed case was a 38-year-old woman from Thessaloniki who had recently traveled to Northern Italy, a major early European hotspot. Initial cases in late February and early March were primarily linked to travel from affected areas in Italy and other European nations. By early March, community transmission was detected in several regions, including Attica and Western Greece. The National Organization for Public Health (EODY) became the central agency for monitoring and reporting cases, collaborating with the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Government response and measures

The government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, declared a nationwide lockdown in March 2020, closing non-essential businesses, schools like the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and imposing strict movement restrictions. A signature measure was the implementation of an SMS-based permission system for leaving home. The Hellenic Police enforced these rules, with violations incurring fines. Subsequent waves led to regional "traffic-light" system classifications and targeted measures, including night curfews and the closure of venues like the Acropolis Museum. The Ministry of Digital Governance launched the COVID-19 free testing platform and later the digital vaccination certificate.

Timeline and statistics

The first wave peaked in April 2020, followed by a severe second wave in November 2020 that strained the National Health System (ESY). The Alpha variant drove a surge in early 2021, with the Delta variant causing a major wave in summer 2021, leading to record hospitalizations. The Omicron variant dominated from late 2021 onward, causing an unprecedented spike in cases but with lower severity. Major clusters occurred in urban centers like Athens, Piraeus, and Larissa, as well as in migrant reception centers on islands like Lesbos. Statistics were regularly reported by EODY and the Ministry of Health.

Impact on healthcare system

The pandemic placed immense pressure on the ESY, particularly its ICU capacity. Hospitals in Attica, Central Macedonia, and Thessaly regions were heavily impacted. The government increased ICU beds and recruited additional healthcare staff. Field hospitals were established, including at the Athens International Airport and the Helexpo grounds in Thessaloniki. Medical associations like the Athens Medical Association raised concerns over staff shortages and burnout. The pandemic also accelerated telemedicine initiatives within the ESY.

Economic and social impact

The economy, heavily reliant on tourism, suffered a severe recession. Landmarks like the Parthenon and destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos saw drastic drops in visitors. The already fragile economy prompted support measures from the European Union, including funds from the European Stability Mechanism and the Next Generation EU recovery plan. Socially, major events like the Athens Marathon and Epidaurus Festival were canceled or held without audiences. Prolonged school closures affected institutions from the University of Crete to primary schools nationwide.

Vaccination campaign

Greece began its vaccination campaign in December 2020, with the first dose administered to a nurse in Evangelismos Hospital. The program initially utilized the Pfizer–BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines, later incorporating Moderna and Johnson & Johnson products. Vaccination centers were set up across the country, including at the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens. To increase uptake, the government instituted a vaccination mandate for healthcare workers and those over 60, and linked access to indoor venues to vaccination status.

Category:COVID-19 pandemic by country Category:2020 in Greece Category:2021 in Greece Category:2022 in Greece