Announcement regarding coronavirus positive tests in one of the Homes of “The Smile of the Child” at Moschato
02 October 2020
The President of “The Smile of the Child” Mr. Costas Yannopoulos, held an online Press Conference today to inform press on Covid-19 positive results of three children and one employee in one of the Homes of the Organization.
The National Public Health Organization, EODY, in charge of conducting the tests, announced the results to the Organization today.
Mr. Yannopoulos stated that all four who tested positive currently suffer from mild symptoms, allowing hope for a smooth recovery.
Mr. Yannopoulos briefly mentioned facts:
● On the evening of Sunday Sept. 9 one of the children housed in our Moschato Home exhibited increased fever. He was immediately quarantined, based on the Organization’s standard protocol, as agreed from the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.
● “The Smile of the Child" alerted the National Public Health Organization, EODY, to receive further instructions on handling the case.
● On Monday Sept. 28, one of our employees developed fever while away from work and was instructed to self-isolate at home.
● On Wednesday Sept 30, a team from EODY visited the Home and tested another 19 people for COVID-19.
● Today, Friday Oct 2, EODY informed “The Smile of the Child” that a total of four people - three children and one employee - were tested positive. A new EODY team visited the Moschato Home tested all children and employees for COVID-19. We are currently awaiting the results.
"The Smile of the Child" has taken the following measures to protect the health of employees and children;
● A 14-day quarantine is enforced for all children and employees of the specific Home of the Organization.
● The House and all vehicles used by the children and employees were disinfected by a professional cleaning crew.
● "The Smile of the Child" has started contact tracing for all the children and the employees of the Home, thus assisting EODY in these efforts.
Mr. Yannopoulos informed the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Kontozamanis, the Attica Region, as well as the Mayor of Moschato, where the Home of the Organization is located.
As Mr. Yannopoulos stated, "The Smile of the Child" has put in place strict measures across the Organization since the beginning of the pandemic, to ensure the health of children, volunteers, employees and those they come in contact with. The Organization has also kept authorities apprised of these efforts.”
Mr. Yannopoulos stressed the need for a speedy response by EODY with rapid testing and contact tracing for cases in Organizations such as "The Smile of the Child", where the disease may spread rapidly with very serious consequences.
