COVID19: Cyprus winning the battle against coronavirus

Cyprus has once again reported its lowest number of coronavirus cases since the outbreak started on 9 March with just two new infections at the end of the first working week since the lockdown was eased.

Friday’s two new cases equalled the low recorded on 4 May, the day relaxations were introduced on free movement and construction and retail sectors went back to work.

New cases have remained stable in single-digit figures for almost two weeks, with Friday’s cases dropping to two from Thursday’s six.

The two cases were identified after some 1,957 tests were carried out, taking the confirmed total to 891.

One case was identified after 153 tests were carried out on tracking and tracing contacts of known coronavirus cases.

Another case was found among 416 tests conducted through private initiatives.

Health Ministry experts presenting Friday’s data were also pleased to report that the number of people hospitalised is dropping.

Nine people are inpatients at Famagusta General, which operates as the COVID-19 reference hospital. One patient is in the Acute Care Unit.

Their condition is described as stable, two people were discharged from the hospital.

Five patients are breathing with the help of a ventilator, one at Limassol General Hospital ICU and four at Nicosia General Hospital ICU.

The condition of all patients in the ICUs is described as “critical but stable.”

Friday’s data coincides with the end of the first working week since the introduction of the first stage of easing restrictions on free movement which saw civil servants, employees at construction sites and retail shops going back to work.

Presenting the epidemiological data regarding new COVID-19 cases, member of the epidemiological committee, Dr Leontios Kostrikis noted that the same number of cases were recorded when relaxations were introduced on Monday.

He urged people, despite being encouraged by the low number of new COVID-19 cases, “to continue abiding by the health guidelines and protective measures”.