Greece sets new high for daily coronavirus cases

ATHENS

Daily coronavirus infections in Greece skyrocketed Tuesday, with the country registering its highest tally of 50,126 new cases in the last 24 hours, according to the National Public Health Organization.

Since the pandemic began, Greece has confirmed 1,344,923 infections for a daily change of +3.9%.

Sixty-one deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 21,053.

In addition, 619 patients are on ventilators in hospitals, of which 525, or 84.81%, are unvaccinated or partly vaccinated and 94, or 15.19%, are fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the government decided to reopen schools after the winter break on Jan. 10, according to Education Minister Niki Kerameus and Health Minister Thanos Plevris.

"Nothing can replace the in-person operation of our schools. It is for the emotional and psychological development of our children. Therefore, it is important that they operate in their natural space,” Kerameus said at a news conference.

New health measures for students will include an extra self-test for the first week of classes or three self-tests for the week instead of two, provided by pharmacies without charge.

Unvaccinated students and teachers will be obliged to test every school day of the week, with two rapid tests and three self-tests free of charge from pharmacies.