Refugee from Somalia tests positive for coronavirus in Moria hotspot

A 40-year-old refugee from Somalia temporarily hosted at Moria reception and identification centre on Lesvos has tested positive for coronavirus, authorities announced on Wednesday. This is the first COVID-19 case in Moria and has put health authorities on alert, with sources saying that epidemiologists will visit the island headed by the president of National Organisation for Public Health (NOPH) Panagiotis Arkoumaneas.

Sources said that the patient was transferred to Mytilene hospital with a fever and quickly diagnosed with coronavirus. He was immediately admitted to hospital, as he also suffers from other serious underlying health problems.

The Somali had left Mytilene for Athens on July 17 as recognised refugee. On July 21 he reported to a police station in Athens to certify his presence there. It is thought that, unable to find work, he then returned to Moria and pitched a tend in the informal camp outside the facility, in order to have access to food and shelter. A thorough tracking and tracing of his contacts has been already begun, aiming at their isolation, while extensive testing is being carried out on those resident in Moria.

According to Migration Ministry sources, the Moria hospot will be placed in lockdown, as also happened when there was a similar incident at the VIAL hotspot on Chios.