Α sweeping lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus in three West Attica municipalities and in the region of Kozani in northern Greece has been extended through 30 December, civil protection authorities announced today.

The cities of Aspropyrgos, Elefsina and Mandra-Idilia in Attica continue to have an exceptionally heavy viral load and the data suggests that  the lockdown was not strictly adhered to by locals.

In particular, the three cities had 166 active cases, 65 and 30, respectively on December 17, when the strict measures were imposed.

By yestrday evening, the numbers had jumped to 178, 77 and 27, respectively.

Moreover, 80  percent of these cases exhibit primary or secondary symptoms of Covid-19, with those with primary symptoms accounting for nearly 52 percent.

In the region of Kozani, there were 313 active cases. Of these, 49 have been hospitalised and their median age is nearly 53 years-old.

Their contacts number 714 high-risk individuals, who are already in isolation at home.

The case break-down as follows: 152 in the city of Kozani, 115 in Eordea, 35 in Voio, 8 in Servia and 3 in Velvendos.

Commenting on the data, the spokesman for the National  COVID-19 Committee, Athens University Virology Professor  Gkikas Magiorkinis, noted that, «There was an increase in diagnoses within the last week in Aspropyrgos and Elefsina, while there was a marginal drop in Mandra, but with higher morbidity due to a higher median age.»

«Overall, the number of active cases in the greater West Attica area remains high,» he underlined.

Headlines