COVID19: Cyprus cases continue to flatten out

Cyprus health authorities reported on Saturday six new cases of people who contracted coronavirus, down from nine the previous day, after conducting 2,467 lab tests.

“If these results continue in the next few days, the state will be able to initiate the plan for the gradual lifting of restrictive measures,” said Dr Leontios Kostrikis, a  Health Ministry advisor.

Kostrikis, a virologist, said that one positive case of COVID-19 was detected among 1,407 tests conducted on frontline workers, another three were traced among the contacts of confirmed cases, one was a person returning from abroad and another case was among the tests conducted by people on their own initiative.

Taking into account the latest data, the total number of COVID-19 positive cases rose to 810, including 10 people found positive in the British Bases.

Dr Marios Loizou of the State Health Services Organisation said that according to data until 3.00 pm on Saturday, 15 people were hospitalized at COVID-19 referral hospital Famagusta General, two of which were in the ICU.

All patients are in stable condition while two were discharged. He said that four patients remain intubated, one at the ICU in Limassol and three in Nicosia.

The ICU in Limassol also hosts a patient who is not intubated, while three others are in a similar state at the ICU in Nicosia.

“This pandemic has shown the need for solidarity between nations and between people,” Loizou said.

“The choice of people in Cyprus to stay at home is a clear expression of solidarity towards the more vulnerable groups.”