Greece identifies 1st case of mutated coronavirus strain detected in SA

Athens, Feb 1 : Greek authorities announced that the first case of the mutated coronavirus strain detected in South Africa was diagnosed in Thessaloniki city in northern Greece.
The patient who tested positive for this strain is an official with the Greek Orthodox Christian Church, said Nikos Hardalias, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.
“We are conducting sweeping screening tests, with molecular tests and rapid tests, in the wider area… There is no reason to panic,” he told Greek national broadcaster ERT.
Panagiotis Arkoumaneas, president of the National Public Health Organization (EODY), called on citizens to take all precautions and comply with instructions given by experts.
EODY announced on Sunday that 107 cases of the mutated strain first identified in Britain have been recorded in Greece following analysis of samples taken in the period of January 12 to January 27, bringing the total cases of such strain to 173 in the country.
Greece has been under a nationwide lockdown since November 7. On Friday it was further extended till February 8.