How badly hit has Greece been by COVID-19?

Greece reported its first case of COVID-19 in early March. As of Sunday 26 April, the country had reported a total of 2,506 confirmed cases and 130 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Those numbers are a fraction of fellow southern European nations Italy (with more than 195,000 cases and over 26,300 deaths) and Spain (with more than 223,700 cases and just over 22,900 deaths).

What do Greek leaders say helped them escape the situation in neighbouring countries?

Greece began enacting a lockdown within two weeks of reporting its first case. The country's health minister also credits quick action to form specialist scientific committees to advise the government on the best course of action early on.

How strict a lockdown has the country had?

Large gatherings have been banned, schools and universities closed, along with playgrounds, shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Non-essential travel has also been halted as officials urge Greeks to stay at home.

Does everyone agree that the measures taken are the reason the country's not been so badly hit?

Mostly yes – particularly given that the country gets tens of millions of foreign visitors each year. Geography may also play a part, given that outbreaks on Greek islands may be easier to contain.

The numbers are even more impressive given that the elderly are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and Greece has the second oldest population in the European Union behind Italy. Years of austerity also means its health system is vastly under-resourced. It could have been far worse.

What happens next?

Experts are careful to praise Greece's 'early response' – in other words, this is not over. Greece, like many other countries, is moving towards a post-lockdown phase in fighting this pandemic.

The government wants Greece's fragile economy to get back on the track to recovery. But there is a possibility that having so few cases could make it more vulnerable if there is a second wave. And it still has limited resources with which to cope.

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