COVID-19: Refugee camp near Greek capital on lockdown

Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - In a refugee and migrant camp in the Greek capital Athens, 20 residents tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday.

The Ritsona camp, located around 80 kilometers (49.7 miles) north of Athens, was immediately placed into a full lockdown for the next 14 days following the orders of Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarakis, in collaboration with Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias, and head of the National Organization for Public Health Panagiotis Arkoumaneas.

Earlier this week, a woman tested positive for the virus after giving birth in a Greek hospital. The woman had been reportedly in contact with others in the camp who tested positive.

According to local media, none of the 20 people who tested positive had any symptoms, while the staff working at the facility tested negative.

Local media reported that the Migration Ministry will be overseeing the implementation of the measures in the camp, while authorities will be covering the basic needs of the residents, such as food and healthcare.

After first appearing in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, the virus has spread to at least 180 countries and regions.

The global death toll from the virus has hit over 48,200 with nearly 952,000 confirmed cases, and more than 202,300 recoveries, according to the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.