Greek Scientists Expect Second Wave as Coronavirus Cases Spike Among Younger Generation

Greek scientists warn that the country is now facing a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic as cases have spiked in August, especially among those in the younger generation.

On Wednesday there were 262 new infections detected across the country, representing a new record high number of cases. The total number of cases diagnosed throughout the country, including all those who have recovered from the virus, is now 6,177, 54.8% of which are men.

A total of 1,528, or 24.7%, of these cases are believed to have been contracted from foreign travel; 3,002, or 48.6%, are known to be related to an already-registered case.

Greece was praised throughout the world for its effective response to the pandemic back in the Spring when the country took immediate measures to stem the spread of the virus.

But the upward trend of new cases, as shown with the red line on the diagram above, and the rising number of intubated patients in intensive care units has alarmed scientists. Their number, now at 26, has doubled over the past week and nearly quadrupled since the beginning of August.

Average age of cases declines

The new data show another worrying trend: The average age of Covid-19 victims is constantly declining.

Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias noted earlier in the week that the average age of those who became ill in August has now dropped to 36 years. This happened because younger people think they are "invulnerable," and are failing to adhere to the safety precautions, he noted.

Epidemiologists stress the danger of the transmission of the virus to younger age groups.

"We have a multiplication of cases throughout Greece, we have almost a doubling of cases in Athens and Thessaloniki, we have a lower...

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