COVID19: Divided Cyprus has 820 cases, 16 deaths

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Divided Cyprus now has more than 800 confirmed COVID-19 infections and 16 deaths since the first case was reported on the island on 9 March.

As of Wednesday, a total of 820 coronavirus cases and 16 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported from both sides of the divide.

The Cyprus Republic has 715 coronavirus cases – after reporting 20 more on Wednesday – and 12 deaths.

Turkish Cypriot authorities in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus reported another 5 COVID-19 cases reaching 105 in total.

Four COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in the north.

These involved two German tourists, a 67-year-old man and an 83-year old woman, a 74-year-old Turkish Cypriot and a 54-year Turkish citizen living permanently in the north.

The north remains on lockdown as of 30 March, with a blanket flight ban also in place until 30 April.

Residents in the north are not allowed to leave their homes from 9 pm every night till 6 am – the same as the Republic.

Supermarkets close at 8 pm while other non-essential businesses are closed.

Authorities are gradually repatriating Turkish Cypriot students from Turkey, raising concerns as that country is heavily stricken by coronavirus reporting close to 70,000 cases and 1,518 deaths.

In a move that ignited fierce criticism from far-right groups in the north, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci requested medical supplies from the Cyprus government which will send protective gear and medicine.

Some 2,000 Chloroquine tablets and personal protective equipment for health professionals are to be handed over to the Turkish Cypriot community on Thursday afternoon.

Authorities will hand over the medical supplies to Turkish Cypriot members of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Health at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point.