The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. 1 Since then, thousands of cases have been reported in China, in many other countries and in the European Union, including Greece. Data on the epidemiological and clinical features of the 2019-nCoV virus infection are growing rapidly while the number of cases and deaths is increasing every day worldwide. The first case in Greece appeared on February 26, 2020. On March 11, 2020, due to virus infection outbreak, Greek government decided firstly the closure of all educational structures and then on 13th March, the suspension of the operation of cafes, museums, shopping malls, sports facilities, restaurants, esthetics centers, etc According to Greek National Health Organization, all the cases that have been confirmed as COVID-19 until 20th April 2020 were 2245 (56% are men) and 116 dead. The median age of death was 74 years and 90.5% had an underlying disease and/or age, above 70 years. 2

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Viral skin infections often affect the sports community. The aim of this study was to assess the rates, location sites, and seasons of appearance of common viral cutaneous diseases in beach volleyball athletes in Greece. Five hundred and forty-nine beach volleyball athletes participated in this study. The average age was 28.4 years. The viral infections were herpes simplex (type 1), molluscum contagiosum and warts. The measured parameters included: gender, age, the season when athletes may be more susceptible to infections and the location of infection in the body. Practicing information such as the number of training years, number of weekly trainings, and average hours of daily training was also recorded. Incidence rates correlated in relation to age: (a) warts (p < 0.001), molluscum contagiosum (p < 0.001), and herpes simplex (p = 0.001); (b) years of training: warts (p < 0.001), molluscum contagiosum (p < 0.001), and herpes simplex (p = 0.004); (c) average hours of daily training: molluscum contagiosum (p = 0.006) and herpes simplex (p < 0.010). The skin is the largest organ, and the risk of infection should not be underestimated. Prevention, early detection, recognition, and treatment are related to health and athletic performance, but also to the risk of transmission.

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