ATHENS

Greece on Wednesday registered 3,465 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, marking the highest daily figure since Nov. 12, when it had recorded 3,316 cases. 

The nationwide tally of cases now stands at 227,247 since the start of the pandemic (daily change: +1.5%), according to the National Public Health Organization (EODY).

Of 3,465 cases, 1,701 were detected in Attica region. 

Fifty-six new deaths were confirmed, bringing the total of pandemic victims to 7,252.

In a daily briefing Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias appealed to private sector and doctors, saying “with 3,465 COVID-19 infections reported today, we can confirm we are at the toughest point of the pandemic's development, and the National Health System is on high emergency mode". However, he said it is manageable.

He said that the virus is obviously spreading in rural areas, too and urged more doctors to volunteer. If no more come forward, he said he would demand the prime minister to force them to do so.

Last week two private hospitals joined efforts with the public sector in the battle against the virus while so far 45 specialists and general pathologists had signed up through the Athens Medical Association and the Attica Region director's efforts.

He pointed that 4,648 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized, 1,000 of whom were admitted this week. 

Meanwhile, the National Network of Sewage Epidemiology of the National Organization of Public Health (EODY) said that the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in the urban wastewater of most areas shows growth trends, which in some areas of the country reach up to 1,000%. 

In Attica Region, the average weekly viral load of sewage recorded an increase by 87% over the last week, the organization said.