Introduction

The coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 appeared and spread in Greece from 26 February 2020 onwards. Most cases in the early days were related to people who had travelled to Italy for business, and to a group of pilgrims who had visited Israel and Egypt and, subsequently, to their contacts.

Table 8.1 refers to the general population data as presented in the NHPO's official report of 31 May 2020. The highest level of mortality occurred in the over-65s and especially in men, who made up 51.4 per cent of COVID-19 deaths. In contrast, women over 65 appeared to be less diseased in the general population and over-65s, with the mortality rate almost half that of men, at 24.6 per cent.

From 27 February 2020, to 31 May 2020, confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 were very low. Greece was among the countries with the lowest mortality rate due to COVID-19, with only 175 deaths despite the 2,915 confirmed cases (6 per cent of confirmed cases). Following the opening of the borders at the end of June, the daily number of confirmed cases reported included those detected following checks at the country's entry gates. In addition, a total of 3,562 recoveries had been announced by 26 July (Prouskas, 2020a).

In Greece, the overall COVID-19 death rate in the elderly care units was minimal, almost zero per cent for the semester of 2020 (February to July 2020). The Greek long-term care (LTC) sector exceeded expectations during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Greek elderly care units managed to work together and overcome obstacles and bureaucratic impediments.