Greece confirms 21 new cases of coronavirus in group arriving from Israel

Greece witnessed a dramatic rise in number of coronavirus cases as officials confirmed 21 new cases who recently returned from a trip in Israel. After 21 new cases, total number of coronavirus cases in Greece spiked to 31.

Health Ministry reportedly anunced on March 5 that one of first ten coronavirus victims is a close relative of a 66-year-old patient who travelled to Israel as well as Egypt before returning back to Greece. patient is currently kept in isolation in Rio University Hospital in Patras.  

'Likely to get worse'

European Union (EU) has raised risk level of coronavirus from ‘moderate’ to ‘high’ as cases in continent continue to grow. Speaking at a news conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen anunced that European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control raised risk level looking at concerning situation.

“While we should t give in to panic, situation is likely to still get worse. So we need to be prepared. Time is of essence here,” said Janez Lenarčič, EU’s Crisis Manment Commissioner.

Government and companies in Europe have started taking drastic measures in wake of coronavirus with Italy reporting most number of deaths in continent. After an employee of BMW Group was tested positive of virus in Munich, company reportedly quarantined 150 German employees.

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United Nations has released $15 million from Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help fund global efforts to contain vel coronavirus COVID-19. UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock anunced release of fund after World Health Organisation (WHO) raised alert to its top level of risk assessment - ‘very high’.

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UN funding has been released for WHO and UNICEF to help essential activities including monitoring spre of virus, investigating cases, and operation of national laboratories. WHO has called for $675 million in funding to combat dely virus. WHO Director-General said that biggest concern is countries with weaker health systems.

Re: EU Raises Risk Level To ‘high’ Amid Rising Coronavirus Cases

Re: WHO Chief Says 'we Are In Uncharted Territory' As Coronavirus Spres

(With ncy inputs)