Minister Thanos Plevris said he proposed the lifting of measures at the ministry's coronavirus experts committee that convened earlier in the day, and the committee agreed. The formal end of the coronavirus measures for the general public will be announced shortly. More specifically, Mr. Plevris , regarding yesterday's meeting of the Committee of Experts, stated: "At today's meeting of the Committee of Experts, the Ministry of Health proposed the lifting of the measures in force against Covid-19 with the exception of public and private health structures and Elderly Care Units. The proposal was accepted by the Commission and the lifting of the measures is expected. However, there remains the need to protect vulnerable groups against Covid-19 and for this reason it is recommended to observe personal protection measures, up-to-date vaccination and receive antiviral treatment for those who are ill." The Covid-19 virus appeared in Greece in February 2020, and measures that were introduced in Greece shortly after were updated on a periodic base thereafter.

Consumers are advised not to use the product if it comes into their possession and should immediately inform EOF. “We point out that the purchase of EOF products from unreliable sources, such as the internet, can endanger the health of the consumer,” the announcement stressed. The entire EOF announcement on the heroin-containing supplement: "The EOF warns that the product KSM-66 Ashwagandha of the Medicine Garden company, which is sold in Europe (therefore it is possible to trade it in Greece as well) and via the Internet, as a food supplement, contains an opioid narcotic substance and specifically heroin of an unknown concentration. The attention of consumers is drawn, so that in case the products come into their possession, they should not use them and inform the EOF immediately. The attention of consumers is drawn, so that in case the products come into their possession, they should not use them and inform the EOF immediately. We point out that the purchase of EOF products from unreliable sources, such as the internet, can endanger the health of the consumer. The above notification is made after informing the competent Danish authorities through the Early Warning System for Food and Feed (RASFF)."

The ship, M/V Neptune Okeanis, will transport four trucks filled with basic necessities such as blankets, bedding, heaters, personal hygiene items and medicines which were requested, as a priority, by the Turkish authorities. The aid was collected by municipalities, regions and agencies around  the country. “Greece continues to stand in solidarity with the Turkish people who are being tested by the devastating earthquakes and responds to the request of the Turkish authorities for the provision of humanitarian aid,” the ministry said in a statement.

Hellenic Health Minister Thanos Plevris said that although Greece had enough supplies for now, the production of generic drugs in Greek factories would be increased and controls at pharmacy stores and big drug warehouses would take place to check if they have the reserves required under Greek law. “There is a shortage in certain branded drugs containing paracetamol, antibiotics and respiratory devices … particularly for children,” Plevris said during a news conference, adding that so far the issue is being addressed with generic drugs. The minister added that he has sent a letter to the European Union health commissioner requesting better coordination and a wider intervention to tackle the issue.

On Wednesday, the EU's Integrated Political Crisis Response group (IPCR) recommended that member states introduce restrictions. Its decisions are usually published within days but Friday is a public holiday in Greece. "Greece will require a COVID test for people that are travelling from China," one official told Reuters on condition of anonymity after a cabinet meeting. A health ministry official confirmed the decision. Passengers boarding in transit flights from China will be strongly recommended to wear a face mask, he said.

Member States agreed on a coordinated precautionary approach in light of the developments of COVID-19 in China, in particular taking into account the need for sufficient, reliable data and the relaxation of travel restrictions by China from 8 January 2023, the statement said. Swedish Presidency. Member States agree: * recommend that all passengers on flights to and from China wear a medical mask (FFP2/N95/KN95). *provide advice to inbound and outbound international travelers originating in or destined for China, as well as aircraft and airport personnel, on personal hygiene and health measures. *are strongly encouraged to introduce, for all passengers departing from China to member states, a requirement of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure from China. Member States are also encouraged to supplement these measures with: *random checks of passengers arriving from China on arrival in Member States, as appropriate, and sequencing of all positive results to strengthen surveillance of the epidemiological situation. *control of sewage from airports with international flights and aircraft arriving from China *continue to promote shared vaccine distribution and vaccination, including booster doses, particularly among vulnerable groups. The IPCR, with the support of ECDC and the European External Action Service, and taking into account the WHO assessment, will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation in the EU and developments in China, including the level of data shared, with a view to ensuring of EU coordination any measures deemed necessary. Member States agree to assess the situation and review the measures by mid-January 2023.

According to media reports, the Cypriot commissioner said in the letter that the European Commission is closely monitoring developments in China ahead of the new Chinese travel regulations that come into force in early January. She noted that the issue should be jointly assessed by member-states and stressed the need for good preparation to shield EU citizens.

“Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic is still not over,” WHO’s Europe director, Hans Kluge, and ECDC’s director, Andrea Ammon, said in a joint statement. “We are unfortunately seeing indicators rising again in Europe, suggesting that another wave of infections has begun.” WHO’s region-wise data showed that only Europe recorded a rise in Covid-19 cases in the week ended October 2nd, clocking an increase of 8% from the prior week. Public health experts have warned that vaccine fatigue and confusion over available vaccines will likely limit booster uptake in the region. Millions of people across Europe remain unvaccinated against Covid-19, the WHO and ECDC noted. They urged European countries to administer both flu and Covid-19 vaccines ahead of an expected surge in cases of seasonal influenza. “There was no time to lose,” the WHO and ECDC said, adding that vulnerable groups, including people over 60 years old, pregnant women and those with co-morbidities, should get vaccinated against both influenza and Covid-19.

“Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the Covid-19 pandemic is still not over,” WHO’s Europe director, Hans Kluge, and ECDC’s director, Andrea Ammon, said in a joint statement. “We are unfortunately seeing indicators rising again in Europe, suggesting that another wave of infections has begun.” WHO’s region-wise data showed that only Europe recorded a rise in Covid-19 cases in the week ended October 2, clocking an increase of 8% from the prior week. Public health experts have warned that vaccine fatigue and confusion over available vaccines will likely limit booster uptake in the region. Millions of people across Europe remain unvaccinated against Covid-19, the WHO and ECDC noted. They urged European countries to administer both flu and Covid-19 vaccines ahead of an expected surge in cases of seasonal influenza. “There was no time to lose,” the WHO and ECDC said, adding that vulnerable groups, including people over 60 years old, pregnant women and those with co-morbidities, should get vaccinated against both influenza and Covid-19.

The Athens Science Festival, the festival devoted to Science and Innovation since 2014, is an established cultural landmark in the field of Science, Technology, Innovation and Art in Greece! This event allows residents and schools in and around Attica have the opportunity to explore scientific and technological advancements in an entertaining, innovative and interactive manner. At the same time, researchers, distinguished scientists, educators and artists give their best to communicate science and indulge the visitors to participate in their experience with it. Since its introduction to the people of Athens in 2014, Athens Science Festival has collaborated with more than 6,000 scientific associates, 730 speakers, 350 artists and 1,800 volunteers. The Festival is repeatedly justifying its social impact having exceeded initial expectations and having reached out to more than 120,000 visitors over the past 6 years. As such, the Athens Science Festival is righteously considered as one of the largest science and technology festivals in Greece. Every year the Athens Science Festival keeps its promise: it links our everyday life to science and highlights the important role of science and technology in the society; by presenting and demonstrating high quality scientific research conducted in Greek academic institutions, by providing dialogue platforms where we can explore insights to complex and controversial scientific issues, by inspiring and creating high standards in the field of science communication and by encouraging young people to consider a science related career. Last but not least, the Athens Science Festival has managed to continuously show to people of all backgrounds and age that science is not only about knowledge but can also be recreational and fun. The Athens Science Festival is organized annually by the educational organisation “Science Communication – SciCo”, the British Council and the Technopolis of the City of Athens with the invaluable contribution from a plethora of academics, research and educational institutions. The festival is conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Development and Investments and the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation. The theme of this year’s Athens Science Festival is “foresight,” as it seeks to explore the challenges that lie ahead and ways to address them with exciting new discoveries. For details concerning the roster of speakers and all the different events, visit athens-science-festival.gr.

Omicron subvariants BA.4/5 that dominated this summer are still behind the majority of infections, but newer Omicron subvariants are gaining ground. Hundreds of new forms of Omicron are being tracked by scientists, World Health Organisation (WHO) officials said this week. WHO data released late on Wednesday showed that cases in the European Union (EU) reached 1.5 million last week, up 8% from the prior week, despite a dramatic fall in testing. Globally, case numbers continue to decline. Hospitalization numbers across many countries in the 27-nation bloc, as well as Britain, have gone up in recent weeks. In the week ended October 4th, 2022, Covid-19 hospital admissions with symptoms jumped nearly 32% in Italy, while intensive care admissions rose about 21%, compared to the week before, according to data compiled by independent scientific foundation Gimbe. Over the same week, Covid hospitalizations in Britain saw a 45% increase versus the week earlier. Omicron-adapted vaccines have launched in Europe as of September, with two types of shots addressing the BA.1 as well as the BA.4/5 subvariants made available alongside existing first-generation vaccines. In Britain, only the BA.1-tailored shots have been given the green light. European and British officials have endorsed the latest boosters only for a select groups of people, including the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Complicating matters further is the “choice” of vaccine as a booster, which will likely add to confusion, public health experts said. But willingness to get yet another shot, which could be a fourth or fifth for some, is wearing thin. “For those who may be less concerned about their risk, the messaging that it is all over coupled with the lack of any major publicity campaign is likely to reduce uptake,” said Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. False sense of security “So on balance I fear that uptake will be quite a bit lower.” “Another confounder is that quite a high proportion of the population might have also had a Covid episode in recent months,” said Penny Ward, visiting professor in pharmaceutical medicine at King’s College London. Some may erroneously feel that having had a complete primary course and then having fallen ill with Covid means they will remain immune, she added. Since Sept 5, when the roll-out of new vaccines began in the European Union, about 40 million vaccine doses produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been delivered to member states, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). However, weekly vaccine doses administered in the EU were only between 1 million and 1.4 million during September, compared with 6-10 million per week during the year-earlier period, ECDC data showed. Perhaps the biggest challenge to uptake is the perception that the pandemic is over, creating a false sense of security. “There must be some complacency in that life seems to have gone back to normal – at least with regards Covid and people now have other financial and war-related worries,” said Adam Finn, chair of ETAGE, an expert group advising the WHO on vaccine preventable diseases in Europe. He added that some law-makers, too, were dropping the ball. Italy’s Gimbe science foundation said the government, soon to be replaced after an election, was ill prepared for the autumn-winter season, and highlighted that a publication on the government’s management of the pandemic had been blocked. The health ministry declined to comment. Meanwhile, British officials last week warned that renewed circulation of flu and a resurgence in Covid-19 could pile pressure on the already stretched National Health Service (NHS).

“We in Europe still consider the pandemic as ongoing and it’s important that member states prepare for rollout of the vaccines and especially the adaptive vaccines to prevent further spread of this disease in Europe,” the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Chief Medical Officer Steffen Thirstrup told a media briefing, referring to vaccines targeting specific strains of the virus. He was asked to comment on Biden’s remark in an interview broadcast on Sunday that “the pandemic is over”. “I cannot obviously answer why President Biden came to that conclusion,” Thirstrup said. The World Health Organization has said the pandemic remains a global emergency but the end could be in sight if countries use the tools at their disposal. During the media briefing, EMA officials reaffirmed a call by the agency’s Executive Director Emer Cooke made last week in a Reuters Next Newsmaker interview that people in Europe should take whatever Covid-19 booster is available and recommended to them in the coming months. Apart from the original Covid vaccines, the EMA has in recent weeks endorsed a number of vaccines adapted to the Omicron variant of the virus for use as booster shots to ease the burden from a feared surge in infections during autumn and winter in Europe. The EMA’s head of vaccines strategy, Marco Cavaleri, said the agency was also looking into the use of the adapted shots as a primary course of vaccination and that there were discussions on the types of data could support such an approval. [Reuters] In related news, Hellenic health authorities confirmed 36,146 new SARS-CoV-2 cases and 111 deaths in the week of September 12-18, the first week of the new school year. This is equivalent to 3,465 coronavirus cases per 1 mln people (weekly change: up 7%), with 24% of the new weekly infections involving reinfections, the National Public Health Organization (EODY) said in its weekly report. The 7% rise in registered infections this week concerns mainly the age groups of 6-12 and 13-18 years. All confirmed infections since the pandemic began are 4,875,215. The median age of the week’s infections was 38 years. In addition, 82 hospital patients were on ventilators on September 18. Their median age is 82 years and 96.3% have an underlying condition and/or are aged 70 or over. A total of 818 Covid-19 patients were admitted to hospital during the week of September 12-18 (117.4% patients on a weekly average, up 4% compared to the previous week), while the total number of Covid-19 patients discharged from hospitals for the same week was 754 (108 as weekly average, or -13% compared to previous week).