ATHENS, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Another three victims of the novel coronavirus epidemic were registered in the past few hours in Greece, raising the country's death toll from COVID-19 to 13, officials announced on Saturday.

In addition, authorities diagnosed 35 new confirmed infections, bringing the total to 530, Sotirios Tsiodras, Health Ministry spokesperson on the epidemic said here at a press briefing broadcast live on Greek public broadcaster ERT.

Currently 100 people were hospitalized, including 18 in critical condition, he said, while 19 patients have been discharged.

Tsiodras, an infectious diseases expert, appealed once again to citizens to assist doctors and nurses in their fight against the epidemic by abiding by the restrictions imposed this month aimed to control the spread of the virus.

"I am aware of the difficulties we all face but the restrictions imposed are absolutely essential in order to protect each other and especially those among us who are most at risk. It is the personal responsibility of each and every one of us to prove that we can emerge victorious from this ordeal," Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said during a visit at the Health Ministry earlier on Saturday, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

The government has been gradually beefing up measures. Since last week, schools, universities, restaurants, coffee shops, shopping malls, retail shops, sports and culture centers, as well as public parks have been shut down.

Furthermore, restrictions and bans have been imposed in land, air and sea travel from abroad and domestically.

Although the majority of people follow the instructions, a minority is still acting irresponsibly, Nikos Hardalias, deputy minister for civil protection and crises management at the Ministry of Citizen Protection, said at the briefing. Enditem

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